News

ACT Leader Locks Lips With Male Partner After Election Win

By DNA Online Editor

Posted on October 19, 2020

Youtube: Sky Australia (screenshot)

Australia’s only openly gay state or territory leader won an historic election victory over the weekend with the Labor Party being returned for another four years of government of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT).

Andrew Barr, who is the incumbent Chief Minister, fronted the media holding the hand of his husband, Anthony Tom, to make his victory speech.

During his speech, Barr acknowledged his husband saying, “You are my rock. My life is so much better since we got married.”

It was after this acknowledgement the pair kissed on live television creating a groundbreaking moment.

While a quick kiss of the opposite-sex kind happens at pretty much all election victories, Barr is the first member of a same-sex couple to lead a party to victory in Australia, ever.

Twitter reacted with positive messages of support.

Beautiful moment between Chief Minister Andrew Barr and his husband Anthony Toms at last night's Labor victory celebration.

There's still a long way to go, but wow how far we have come. 💜💙💚💛🧡❤️ #auspol #actvotes #loveislove pic.twitter.com/5CLPsXtU5D
— Stephen (@TheAviator1992) October 17, 2020

Actually had to check that I wasn’t seeing a doctored photo. Yes that is the winner of the ACT election Andrew Barr celebrating with his partner. Makes me SO happy that the next gen will have these relationships normalised and visible 🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈 https://t.co/NWGlICodDE
— Lauren M Young (@Young_LaurenM) October 17, 2020

By contrast, it is still immensely powerful to have Andrew Barr not only acknowledge his husband but kiss him in his victory speech #actvotes
— Ian Whitney (@iancwhitney) October 17, 2020

The ACT has notched up 19 years under Labor Government and Barr is the second longest serving political leader in the country.

Watch Barr’s full victory speech below.