Amid the thousands of social media posts celebrating the 'yes' vote in the same-sex marriage survey, there was perhaps a single image that resonated most.
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It was of Labor senator Penny Wong, wrapped in a pride flag with tears streaming down her face, seconds after the result was announced.
It cut through the rainbow chorus on Twitter with people sharing the image all saying the same thing: it had them in tears.
PENNY WONG CRYING IS A MOOD ALSO I AM CRYING SO OS MUCH pic.twitter.com/gBMtv6zTSP??? love is love is love is love is love is love is lo (@liraels) November 15, 2017
If you can read this & watch footage of @SenatorWong as the vote was announced without crying, are you human? https://t.co/6BItaTrt4A??? Georgina Dent (@georgiedent) November 15, 2017
Amazing picture on a very emotional day for many. Penny Wong in the arms of Janet Rice and Louise Pratt. https://t.co/VjVxhQOnCb @CooperJed @abcnews pic.twitter.com/kQeHop9q9c??? Henry Belot (@Henry_Belot) November 15, 2017
I think this sums it up... the usually unphasable Penny Wong in tears. #MarriageEquality #ssm https://t.co/lQYQ9Ay20f??? Margaret C (@PBearfiftyfive) November 15, 2017
Thousands of Melburnians celebrating outside the State Library also became one of the defining scenes of the day.
On Twitter, the video was surpassed only by tweets from London-based Kylie Minogue, American singer Miley Cyrus and talk show host Ellen DeGeneres who both said they were proud of the nation.
The Melbourne reaction #MarriageEquality pic.twitter.com/4Ye3VOd5NR??? Tom Cowie (@tom_cowie) November 14, 2017
"It's a g'day. Way to go Australia," wrote DeGeneres, who has been vocal about the same-sex marriage survey with her 75 million twitter followers.
#Australia ... ???????? #MarriageEquality ???? Love is love, always was love, always will be love.??? kylie minogue (@kylieminogue) November 14, 2017
It's a g'day. Way to go Australia. #MarriageEquality pic.twitter.com/0tdnBHPAW1??? Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) November 14, 2017
Yes!!!!! Congrats Australia! Every step taken is one closer to World Peace! Love love love you! Proud to be Australian by association lol ?????????????????? pic.twitter.com/1zO5kSjMS7??? Miley Ray Cyrus (@MileyCyrus) November 14, 2017
Meanwhile, comedian Peter Helliar tweeted a photo of a mural showing former prime minster Tony Abbott marrying himself, and Dave Hughes shared a photo from the dentist chair with the caption: "Will be all smiles today."
Hamish Blake announced: "Let the Yestivities commence!" while his author wife Zoe Foster-Blake rated her feelings "15/10".
Yes, Si, Oui ????????????????? Carrie Bickmore (@BickmoreCarrie) November 14, 2017
YES!!!!!!!??? Eddie Perfect (@Eddieperfect) November 14, 2017
YES!!!!!!!!! #SSM pic.twitter.com/4L1o8mfafi??? Peter Helliar ?????????????? (@pjhelliar) November 14, 2017
Love is love.??? Charlie Pickering ???? (@charliepick) November 14, 2017
A post shared by David Hughes (@dhughesy) on Nov 14, 2017 at 3:51pm PST
A post shared by Hamish Blake (@hamishblakeshotz) on Nov 14, 2017 at 3:12pm PST
A post shared by ZO?? FOSTER BLAKE (@zotheysay) on Nov 14, 2017 at 4:15pm PST
Politicians on both sides of the chamber also voiced their support of same-sex marriage.
Labor MP for Morwell Harriet Shing, who is the first openly lesbian female lawmaker in Victorian parliament, simply wrote: "Thank you".
Minister for trade and investment Philip Dalidakis, who sported a rainbow tie and socks in parliament, said it was an "awesome outcome".
It always has.
It always will. pic.twitter.com/zsRTBDsiO2??? Daniel Andrews (@DanielAndrewsMP) November 14, 2017
Yes! Now time to make it law.??? Matthew Guy MP (@MatthewGuyMP) November 14, 2017
61.6% in favour of SSM is a resounding positive outcome. Debate was reasonably conducted, another good example of democracy at work in Australia. Another discriminatory position about to be removed.??? Jeff Kennett (@jeff_kennett) November 15, 2017
Thank you. Thank you so much. ????????????????? Harriet Shing MP (@ShingvWorld) November 14, 2017
The results are in! Well done Australia. In political terms 61% = landslide! #YES #MarriageEquality.??? Robert Doyle (@LordMayorMelb) November 14, 2017
View from my desk today. #AustraliaSaidYES pic.twitter.com/58oBmDWL5c??? Robert Doyle (@LordMayorMelb) November 15, 2017
Couldn't be prouder of regional Australians. So often misunderstood by political commentators - 15 out of 16 National Party seats voted yes.??? Darren Chester MP (@DarrenChesterMP) November 15, 2017
Awesome outcome, now let's get on with changing the legislation, removing the inequality and showing the world that Australia is inclusive and believe love is love #YesForEquality https://t.co/M8NqFctNYN??? Philip Dalidakis MP (@philipdalidakis) November 14, 2017
Today love has won.
Today is a huge day for our LGBTI family, friends and every Australian who campaigned for equality.
Love will always win. #MarriageEquality??? Gayle Tierney (@GayleTierney) November 14, 2017
Love your work #Ballarat - 70.5% yes ????????????????? Jaala Pulford MP (@JaalaPulford) November 14, 2017
They split the difference @philquin. Terrific result ???? pic.twitter.com/et8QAB6lLI??? Martin Pakula (@MartinPakulaMP) November 14, 2017
Government agencies including the Environment Protection Authority also wasted no time in unfurling their rainbow flags.
Victorian EPA chief executive Nial Finegan took a break from analysing the quality of our air to announce the 'yes' victory would have no impact on our environment other than smiles.
Scientists @EPA_Victoria can confirm that today's wonderful YES 'vote' will have no impact on Victoria's environment other than more smiles pic.twitter.com/TCCC08KgBN??? EPA CEO Nial Finegan (@NialFinegan) November 14, 2017
#MarriageEquality pic.twitter.com/0lkmRLyLBa??? CFA Updates (@CFA_Updates) November 14, 2017
An emphatic result in in the Marriage Postal Survey that supports fundamental equality. Fantastic to be able to move forward! pic.twitter.com/7FfsEFriO6??? John Bradley (@DELWP_Secretary) November 14, 2017
