Australian Politician Wins Major Victory, Kisses Husband in Viral Clip

The chief minister of the Australian Capital Territory celebrated his Labour Party's recent election victory by sharing a very big and very public kiss with his husband, captured on video by ABC. Andrew Barr, the country's first and only out leader of a state or territory, kissed his longtime partner and new husband, Anthony Toms, after being elected to a sixth consecutive term in office. The victory assures another four years for his Labour government, while the kiss was met with a whirlwind of support and celebration.

The happily married couple held hands as they walked onto the stage in Australia's capital city of Canberra with Lady Gaga's "Edge of Glory" filling the hall. After thanking his campaign staff and family, Barr became misty-eyed and his voice quivered briefly as he turned to recognize Toms.

"You are my rock," Barr said emotionally. "My life is so much better since we got married. [I] think people think I'm a calmer and nice person as a result. We met in this city. We've been together nearly 21 years, about to have our first wedding anniversary."

Barr then said "Anthony, I love you" before embracing and kissing Toms to the emotional cheers of supporters in attendance. The response on social media was equally emotional and supportive.

The pair met at Canaberra's first annual SpringOut Gay and Lesbian Festival in 1999 and have been together ever since. They entered into a civil partnership ten years later. Barr actively campaigned in favor of marriage equality, which the country legally recognized in 2017. The couple married in November of last year on their 20th anniversary together.

The Capital Territory is the smallest of the Australian states and territories, with a little over 900 square miles of territory. It contains Canberra, the nation's capital, as well as many federal building and agencies. The parliamentary system means voters elect ministers of parliament, and the party that wins the majority of seats forms a government to lead the state. Barr's Labour Party did not win an outright majority, but is expected to form another coalition government with the Green Party, which increased its number of seats at the expense of the Liberal Party which lost seats.

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