Australia’s first same-sex marriage ends in heartbreak
Jo Grant passed away from cancer just 48 days after marrying her long-term partner in Queensland
A terminally ill woman and her partner were the first same-sex couple to marry in Australia, it has been revealed.
Officials waived the 30-day waiting period due to exceptional circumstances, allowing Jo Grant, who was suffering from a rare form of cancer, to wed her partner of eight years, Jill Kindt.
The private ceremony took place at their home in Queensland in December, less than a week after gay marriage became legal in Australia. Sadly, Grant passed away from her illness just 48 days later.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The couple’s story was made public in parliament this week with permission from Grant’s family.
“This is a love story – of the deep bond between Jo Grant and Jill Kindt,” state Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath told lawmakers.
“This is also an inspiring story of the extraordinary length our staff went to, to make this historic marriage happen before it was too late,” she added.
The ceremony took place within 24 hours of the marriage being approved, with officials reportedly driving across the state to ensure the paperwork was delivered on time, ABC News reports.
Kindt has praised their efforts, thanking all those who helped their dream come true.
“We were overwhelmed by the fact the people who did not know us made something that we wanted happen and gave us a whole heap of joy,” she told the broadcaster. “That’s the story.”
Speaking in parliament, Attorney-General D’Ath said Grant’s mother, Sandra, believed the marriage “renewed Jo’s spirit, keeping her alive along enough to have one last Christmas with her family.”
“She passed away knowing she got to fulfil her wish to get married to the person she loved.”
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The controversy over rewilding in the UK
The Explainer 'Irresponsible and illegal' release of four lynxes into Scottish Highlands 'entirely counterproductive' say conservationists
By The Week UK Published
-
How to decide on the right student loan repayment plan
The explainer President-elect Donald Trump seems unlikely to approve more student loan forgiveness, so you may want to consider other options
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
-
Sudoku medium: January 15, 2025
The Week's daily medium sudoku puzzle
By The Week Staff Published
-
The Aussie beach cabana drama
Row over using tents to reserve a spot on the sand has even drawn in the prime minister
By Elizabeth Carr-Ellis, The Week UK Published
-
Why Assad fell so fast
The Explainer The newly liberated Syria is in an incredibly precarious position, but it's too soon to succumb to defeatist gloom
By The Week UK Published
-
Romania's election rerun
The Explainer Shock result of presidential election has been annulled following allegations of Russian interference
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Russia's shadow war in Europe
Talking Point Steering clear of open conflict, Moscow is slowly ratcheting up the pressure on Nato rivals to see what it can get away with.
By The Week UK Published
-
Cutting cables: the war being waged under the sea
In the Spotlight Two undersea cables were cut in the Baltic sea, sparking concern for the global network
By The Week UK Published
-
The nuclear threat: is Vladimir Putin bluffing?
Talking Point Kremlin's newest ballistic missile has some worried for Nato nations
By The Week UK Published
-
Russia vows retaliation for Ukrainian missile strikes
Speed Read Ukraine's forces have been using U.S.-supplied, long-range ATCMS missiles to hit Russia
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Has the Taliban banned women from speaking?
Today's Big Question 'Rambling' message about 'bizarre' restriction joins series of recent decrees that amount to silencing of Afghanistan's women
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published