On Saturday, 7 Dec., Australia's first official same-sex weddings happened in the Australian Capital Territory.
Many Australians were overjoyed.
Today, the High Court of Australia ruled that the Marriage Equality Act that allowed these couples to get married is invalid.
They unanimously decided that marriage is a matter of federal law, and the state-based Marriage Equality Act can't operate alongside the federal Marriage Act, which currently defines marriage as between a man and woman. This means the dozens of same-sex marriages that have occurred in the past five days are now void.
Hundreds of people on Twitter have reacted with disappointment, disgust, and rage.
1.
Disappointed at the #marriageequality results. It was expected, but it feels like a kick in the guts
Chris Tracey
@ctbne
Disappointed at the #marriageequality results. It was expected, but it feels like a kick in the guts
2.
How disgusting of the High Court to overturn the ACT marriage equality bill. I forgot we are all Neanderthals... #MarriageEquality #SameLove
Brooke Simon
@BrookeBubs
How disgusting of the High Court to overturn the ACT marriage equality bill. I forgot we are all Neanderthals... #MarriageEquality #SameLove
3.
@TonyAbbottMHR Well I hope you're happy now that you've hurt so many people who only want their love recognised. #MarriageEquality
Chris M
@mantc
@TonyAbbottMHR Well I hope you're happy now that you've hurt so many people who only want their love recognised. #MarriageEquality
4.
Oh fuck off High Court and Abbott, you're disgraceful! #auspol #marriageequality
Tiffany B
@epicdiremeerkat
Oh fuck off High Court and Abbott, you're disgraceful! #auspol #marriageequality
5.
I don't get it! The sky didn't fall and world didn't end when those few people got married the other day. #marriageequality #progress
TRiSh
@BlalalaBeauty
I don't get it! The sky didn't fall and world didn't end when those few people got married the other day. #marriageequality #progress
6.
Heartbroken for the precious couples who have had their marriages voided by Abbott's bigotry. #auspol #marriageequality
Dr Benjamin T. Jones
@BenjaminTJones1
Heartbroken for the precious couples who have had their marriages voided by Abbott's bigotry. #auspol #marriageequality
7.
What exactly is Abbott afraid of with relation to #MarriageEquality? Does he think Margie is going to run off and marry a woman?
Mike Cullen
@MikeCullen73
What exactly is Abbott afraid of with relation to #MarriageEquality? Does he think Margie is going to run off and marry a woman?
8.
Sad day for those same-sex couple who got married in Canberra during the 5 day window. #marriageequality #lovewillwin #keepfighting
Sherrie Beaver
@SherrieBeaver
Sad day for those same-sex couple who got married in Canberra during the 5 day window. #marriageequality #lovewillwin #keepfighting
9.
HIGH COURT/GOVERNMENT YOU ARE WHY WE CAN'T HAVE NICE THINGS. #MarriageEquality
Maddi ✌
@maddichip
HIGH COURT/GOVERNMENT YOU ARE WHY WE CAN'T HAVE NICE THINGS. #MarriageEquality
10.
Hope your happy now @TonyAbbottMHR you fucking prick #MarriageEquality
uncutaussie
@uncutaussie
Hope your happy now @TonyAbbottMHR you fucking prick #MarriageEquality
11.
That sound you can hear is a Australia re-emerging into the 1940's... #holden #marriageEquality #NBN #auspol
Michael Wyres
@mwyres
That sound you can hear is a Australia re-emerging into the 1940's... #holden #marriageEquality #NBN #auspol
12.
Dear @TonyAbbottMHR, Please see the attached picture. Regards, Every gay taxpayer. #auspol #marriageequality
Two-wheeled Trollop
@leesieoh
Dear @TonyAbbottMHR,
Please see the attached picture.
Regards,
Every gay taxpayer.
#auspol #marriageequality
13.
Currently ashamed to be Australian. #MarriageEquality #letsmovetoamerica
Aimee Caitlin
@aimeecaitlin
Currently ashamed to be Australian. #MarriageEquality #letsmovetoamerica
14.
Australia, for why? It's nearly 2014. #MarriageEquality
Mike Nicholson
@Mikey_Nicholson
Australia, for why? It's nearly 2014. #MarriageEquality
15.
Oh, Australia. That's just cruel. #marriageequality
Emma Bryant
@ebryantnz
Oh, Australia. That's just cruel. #marriageequality
16.
Can the high court rule @TonyAbbottMHR invalid and remove him from the country? #auspol #MarriageEquality
Bill
@Oh_so_offensive
Can the high court rule @TonyAbbottMHR invalid and remove him from the country? #auspol #MarriageEquality
17.
Devastated and Pissed off! Australia is backward. I should have the same rights as everyone else #marriageequality #equal
Jonathon Moran
@jmoconfidential
Devastated and Pissed off! Australia is backward. I should have the same rights as everyone else #marriageequality #equal
18.
So Abbott finally gets a win this week. Congrats, you voided a bunch of wedding vows, go pop some bubbly.. #MarriageEquality #auspol
Alexei T
@AlexeiPT
So Abbott finally gets a win this week. Congrats, you voided a bunch of wedding vows, go pop some bubbly.. #MarriageEquality #auspol
19.
Its kinda like saying that only white people can get married #MarriageEquality
uncutaussie
@uncutaussie
Its kinda like saying that only white people can get married #MarriageEquality
20.
The twitchy death throes of old men in wigs desperately nailing down the status quo in the middle of a hurricane #MarriageEquality
Mark O'Shea
@markoshea75
The twitchy death throes of old men in wigs desperately nailing down the status quo in the middle of a hurricane #MarriageEquality
21.
#marriageequality
Terry Masson
@Tilaurin
#marriageequality
22.
This day will forever known as 'Backwards day', as the High Court overruled #marriageequality.
Adam Clayton
@_claytona
This day will forever known as 'Backwards day', as the High Court overruled #marriageequality.
23.
REALLY REALLY REALLY FUCKING PISSED OFF WITH THE HIGH COURT OF AUSTRALIA RIGHT NOW!!!!! YOU ARSEHOLES!!!!! #MarriageEquality #equal
â¤ï¸ROSIEâ¤ï¸
@rosie6172
REALLY REALLY REALLY FUCKING PISSED OFF WITH THE HIGH COURT OF AUSTRALIA RIGHT NOW!!!!! YOU ARSEHOLES!!!!! #MarriageEquality #equal
24.
Fuckin hell, I don't think I've ever been less proud to be Australian than today. #MarriageEquality
Mark Jamieson
@mark606800
Fuckin hell, I don't think I've ever been less proud to be Australian than today. #MarriageEquality
25.
@TonyAbbottMHR Congrats on defeating love- especially that love of your sisters! #MarriageEquality
adamtodd
@adamwtodd
@TonyAbbottMHR Congrats on defeating love- especially that love of your sisters! #MarriageEquality
26. Here's what said sister had to say:
Sad news that the ACT same-sex marriage law has been overturned. Focus now firmly on federal parliament #marriageequality #auspol
Christine Forster
@resourcefultype
Sad news that the ACT same-sex marriage law has been overturned. Focus now firmly on federal parliament #marriageequality #auspol
But some people looked on the bright side and focused on the fact that the High Court's decision leaves the focus on federal law — and the need for change there.
high court may be unable to pass ACT marriage laws, but they've ruffled the feathers of parliament and the nation #MarriageEquality #auspol
anna fitzgerald
@anna_fitz1
high court may be unable to pass ACT marriage laws, but they've ruffled the feathers of parliament and the nation #MarriageEquality #auspol
Some will see the ACT decision as a loss, but it's just a clarification that same sex marriage is a matter for the federal parliament.
Scottmas
@scottsues
Some will see the ACT decision as a loss, but it's just a clarification that same sex marriage is a matter for the federal parliament.
Silver-lining: in order to declare #MarriageEquality a federal issue, High Court said constitution definition of marriage includes same-sex.
Richard Carroll
@Richard_Carroll
Silver-lining: in order to declare #MarriageEquality a federal issue, High Court said constitution definition of marriage includes same-sex.
Technically, the High Court ruled in favour of #marriageequality... in that marriage should be legislated federally & thus equally 4 all.
Aaron Hewett
@urbancreature
Technically, the High Court ruled in favour of #marriageequality... in that marriage should be legislated federally & thus equally 4 all.
Thank you to all couples who shared with us their love & commitment under the ACT #marriageequality law we will continue to stand by you.
Simon Corbell MLA
@SimonCorbell
Thank you to all couples who shared with us their love & commitment under the ACT #marriageequality law we will continue to stand by you.
Dear twitter: today's HC ruling is actually a win for #MarriageEquality. No doubt now Constitution permits fed govt to pass SSM laws.
Jeremy Sear
@jeremysear
Dear twitter: today's HC ruling is actually a win for #MarriageEquality. No doubt now Constitution permits fed govt to pass SSM laws.
ACT took things two steps forward, despite surely knowing we'd take one step back today. Well done. #marriageequality
Sam Ryan
@sjrwords
ACT took things two steps forward, despite surely knowing we'd take one step back today. Well done. #marriageequality
implication from HC: all "types" of marriage are equal. this is a loud and clear message to Fed Government and Parliament #marriageequality
jrvk
@kirikee
implication from HC: all "types" of marriage are equal. this is a loud and clear message to Fed Government and Parliament #marriageequality
Many called for action — from the community and from the government.
Join us in asking Tony Abbott to allow Coalition members a conscience vote #MarriageEquality http://t.co/USxrrfwQFy
GreensMPs
@GreensMPs
Join us in asking Tony Abbott to allow Coalition members a conscience vote #MarriageEquality http://t.co/USxrrfwQFy
Frustrated by the High Court #marriageequality ruling? Talk to your Federal MP. Support @AMEQUALITY @GetUp. Let’s get these laws changed.
Clover Moore
@CloverMoore
Frustrated by the High Court #marriageequality ruling? Talk to your Federal MP. Support @AMEQUALITY @GetUp. Let’s get these laws changed.
High Court has made it clear that #marriageequality is a federal issue. NO MORE EXCUSES! Time for our federal MPs to make it happen #auspol
SameSame.com.au
@samesame
High Court has made it clear that #marriageequality is a federal issue. NO MORE EXCUSES! Time for our federal MPs to make it happen #auspol
Time for @TonyAbbottMHR to step up and do what majority of Aussies agree with; allow same sex marriage! #marriageequality
Anh Dang
@AnhD79
Time for @TonyAbbottMHR to step up and do what majority of Aussies agree with; allow same sex marriage! #marriageequality
If you want change for #MarriageEquality best way is to change the government in #auspol Parliament. Or for Libs to allow conscience vote.
Tom Baxter
@tombaxter
If you want change for #MarriageEquality best way is to change the government in #auspol Parliament. Or for Libs to allow conscience vote.
So the states might not be able to bring in #MarriageEquality but the Feds have the power it seems. Time to saddle up! @GrahamPerrettMP
Chris McAlister
@madame_ff
So the states might not be able to bring in #MarriageEquality but the Feds have the power it seems. Time to saddle up! @GrahamPerrettMP
Marriage equality is now in the hands of the federal government.
