Now Australia has voted for gay marriage, people are asking when this anti-gay couple will divorce
(Facebook/Nick Jensen)
This couple who oppose same-sex marriage pledged that they would get divorced if it was ever made legal.
Now, with the pair having been offered help in fulfilling their vow, people are asking when they’ll follow through with it.
It was revealed this week that 61.6% of Australians voted Yes in the same-sex marriage postal vote – an overwhelming victory for equality.
Millions of people across the world, including world leaders and prominent celebrities, have spoken out in support of Australia’s decision.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull pledged that his government would support the move in the case of a Yes vote, and legislation to complete the triumph is moving forward.
However, don’t expect Canberra Christians Nick and Sarah Jensen to be thrilled with the landmark moment.
Nick and Sarah Jensen vowed to divorce if gay marriage was legalised
Now the public is waiting on the couple to speak up about whether they will go through with legally separating.
In his 2015 blog post announcing the decision, Nick wrote: “It raises a red flag when a government decides it is not content only having sovereignty over land, taxes and the military — but ‘words’ themselves.
“This is why we are willing to divorce. By changing the definition of marriage, ‘marriage’ will, in years to come, have an altogether different sense and purpose.”
However, now that same-sex marriage is legal in Australia, the Jensens are bound to face some awkward questions.
So far, the couple have not addressed the result of the vote, but in the meantime Twitter and Facebook users have been cracking jokes at their expense, asking: well…when’s the big day??
We’re waiting pic.twitter.com/7z03wCzpGD
— Charlie J Meyers (@charliejmeyers) November 15, 2017
Where can I send the divorce gift?
— Ⓥ ersachaus (@versachaus) November 14, 2017
I’d file for that divorce now. A vow. Is a vow. But I guess only the gays know that.
— P Swift (@pronaldjr) November 14, 2017
Spare a thought for Nick and Sarah Jensen who now have to plan their divorce. And so close to Christmas. pic.twitter.com/o7uiHpk3Wk
— AMCT (@AngeMaryClaire) November 15, 2017
Congratulations to Nick and Sarah Jensen on their impending return to the dating scene.https://t.co/eCXndkBA76
— Patrick Stokes (@patstokes) November 15, 2017
It is unclear whether, legally, the couple will actually be able to get a divorce.
The Australian Family Law Act states that both parties have to separate and live separately for at least 12 months in order to divorce.
However, Nick and Sarah previously stated that if they did get a divorce, they would not live apart and still refer to each other as “husband” and “wife”.
Australians celebrated the Yes vote immediately after it was announced.
Speaking to ABC News, family lawyer Denis Farrar said the couple would have to convince a court that they would not resume cohabitation in future.
He said: “It surprises me that any sensible person would make such a threat, because you can’t get a divorce unless you’ve been separated for 12 months.”
“It doesn’t sound like Mr Jensen could truthfully swear that those facts are correct. And in that case he may apply for a divorce, but he won’t get it unless he lies.”
Well, it will be hard for Mr and Mrs Jensen to lie now considering their story has blown up in the wake of Australia voting in favour of gay marriage, but we will have to wait and see what’s next for the couple, and whether they will keep their vow.
