Germany Same Sex Marriage Legal Response Celebrations

On Friday, members of the German Parliament voted to legalize same-sex marriage, a move that brings the country up to speed with many of its Western peers.

German lawmaker Volker Beck, who has campaigned for LGBTQ rights in Europe, called it "an amazing victory," the Associated Press reports, as he leapt to his feet to applaud once the decision was announced.

Outside of the chancellory, the decision was met with just as much elation as LGBTQ couples celebrated, kissing and hugging, waving rainbow flags and carrying signs saying "marriage for everybody."

"We’ve been happily married for eight years, but we could never call it that," Shoshana Brandt told AP. "We are happy and proud that we are now equal and we can live our love."

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On social media, supporters of LGBTQ rights were also excited to celebrate, rallying to express their joy.

Today the parliament in Germany voted FOR same-sex marriage! Finally! ?️‍? #loveislove #ehefüralle ❤️???? pic.twitter.com/NWWu8P3aMA
— LiS Not This Time (@LiS_NotThisTime) June 30, 2017

i might be crying some happy tears right now, marriage equality in germany is everything i've wished for this month #ehefueralle
— mimi ? (@clearisak) June 30, 2017

The fact that pride month ends with the legalisation of same-sex marriage in germany makes me unbelievably happy?#Ehefueralle #LoveIsLove
— tenshi (@LillieVevo) June 30, 2017

Confetti in the German Bundestag by the Greens @Die_Gruenen celebrating the legalization of same-sex marriage ?️‍? ? #Ehefueralle pic.twitter.com/FK3yAdkaLa
— Lars Scholtyssyk (@lars_scho) June 30, 2017

Germany finally did that! #EheFürAlle #LoveisLove pic.twitter.com/vxk6zRn9T1
— Sophia?️‍? (@ga_sophia) June 30, 2017

#Ehefueralle MY BROTHER CAN FINALLY MARRY HIS BOYFRIEND OF 8 YEARS
— ginny. ??? (@ginheda) June 30, 2017

Danke für die historische Anerkennung unserer Liebe. Ich kann meine Tränen gerade nicht zurück halten! Die Last der Diskriminierung ist weg! pic.twitter.com/nA9yuO3A2q
— Ali Utlu (@AliCologne) June 30, 2017

The vote was made possible when German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who has long been opposed to same-sex marriage, appeared to ease her stance earlier this week. Though Merkel said this week that members of her party should view the issue as a "question of conscience," she eventually voted against legalizing same-sex unions.

However, she did ask members of her party to vote individually instead of aligning to party ideals, and in the end, the bill passed with 393 votes in favor of "marriage for everybody," 226 opposing the measure, and four abstentions.

Now, the Bundesrat, Germany's upper house, will vote on the issue next week — and since they have previously voted in favor of same-sex marriage, they are expected to vote "yes" on the measure.

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