After 22 unsuccessful attempts since 2004, Australia has legalized same-sex marriage. The bill passed the Australian Senate by a vote of 43-12, then the House of Representatives with only four of 150 legislators voting against it. Earlier, a national survey had shown that some 62 percent of Australians were in favor of legalizing same-sex marriage. The law gives churches and religious organizations the right to decline participation in same-sex weddings.