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Loading ...Sweden OKs gay marriage
04.01.2009 4:56pm EDT
(Stockholm) Sweden on Wednesday became the seventh country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage.
Following a five-hour debate in Parliament, the legislation was overwhelmingly passed on a 261 to 22 vote, with 16 abstentions. The new law will go into effect May 1, replacing a 1995 law that allowed civil partnerships.Six of the country’s seven political parties backed the bill. Only the Christian Democrats voted against it.
“This is a great victory,” said Soren Juvas, president of the Swedish Federation for LGBT Rights.
A parliamentary committee studying civil partnerships in 2007 called them “outdated” and recommended Parliament allow same-sex marriage.
The new law does not require churches to conduct same-sex weddings, but the Church of Sweden, a Lutheran church, and the largest denomination in the country, will consider a motion this fall to allow pastors to perform gay weddings.
The Swedish Lutheran Church has offered blessing services for couples in civil unions since 2007, but it has balked at allowing pastors to perform weddings for gay couples.
Same-sex marriage already is legal in four European Union countries – Netherlands, Belgium Norway and Spain.
Elsewhere in the EU, the UK affords gay couples all of the rights and obligations of marriage but without the name. Several other EU countries such as Germany and France allow same-sex couples limited rights.
Outside Europe, gay marriage is legal in Canada and South Africa. Gays and lesbians can marry in two US states – Massachusetts and Connecticut.
Since the CT Supreme Court SAID that it was allowed! A wee bit out of touch with the Marriage Equality scene are we “WOW”?
since when is gay marriage allowed in connecticut? lol
All these European countries have more rights for gay couples than the US does but did you know that gay adoption is much more controversial in Europe than in the US? The countries that have full gay marriage are only now approaching adoption, while gay adoption has been around for decades in the US even in backward conservative states. It’s an interesting comparison.
You forgot:
Israel recognizes gay marriages done elsewhere. The nut cases from the ultra orthodox, who control marriage ceremonies, refuse to do them for the people who shared their cousins fates in hitlers gas chambers and ovens.
Add Republic of South Africa also. Another good thing that came out of the end of Arpartheid, otherwise known as segregation, and imposed by the descendants of Dutch settlers. Of course, the Dutch have reformed, being the first, if I remember correctly,to put gay marriage into effect.
What a disgrace for the U.S. We should be the leaders. Truly amazing that Europe leads the way. I won’t be surprised if Denmark follows suit, then perhaps Finland. Its going to make the argument for full marriage equality only more imperative across the entire EU. The UK of course has all the rights of marriage without the name, so it will probably happen there than anywhere else after Denmark and Finland get on board. We’re sadly dragging our feet on almost every equality issue. Time to demand our rights not ask for them
Personally, I think the most significant part of this article is this tiny sentence:
“Six of the country’s seven political parties backed the bill.”
The United States is the ONLY industrialized first-world nation claiming to be a Democracy which is NOT a parliamentary system.
This is why US citizens get the choice between rich-guy-for-the-rich #1 or other-rich-guy-for-the-rich #2.
Our “choices” for political leadership are a joke. Who hasn’t noticed that Obama is channeling ol’ W more and more and more?
Who didn’t notice that Hillary was W in a pantsuit?
Republicrat or Democan…what really is the difference?
Is it any wonder that the US is also the ONLY first-world industrialized nation which leads in most forms of backward, socially retarded government, laws and legislation?
The ONLY such country without national healthcare.
The ONLY such country with such limited paid leave.
The ONLY such country with such sub-standard retirement/pension benefits.
The ONLY such country with a vote-filtering Electoral College apparatus?
The reason?
Because our government represents only 5% of our population with just a two-party system.
A parliamentary system represents more of the populace as the parties are formed by direct mandate of those they represent.
A coalition government of several of these represented constituents must be formed to pass laws, therefore, the laws are more responsive to a greater majority of the citizenry.
The US is not a Republic. It is not a Democracy.
It is, along with a majority of third world socially retarded countries, an oligarchal theocracy–just like Iran, Iraq, several South American Juntas and…well…you get the picture.
Wow! Great news… if only the U.S. could grow some balls and allow equality.
To RJLigier – go peddle your ignorance elsewhere.
Less of the racist stereotyping, please. “Ignorant” Africa already has same-sex marriage in South Africa, thank you very much.
Well, on paper and the statute books, at least. Now if we could just stop the superstitious traditionalists among the masses from raping and murdering lesbians, our marvellous constitutional rights may reach ALL South Africans, not just the middle- and moneyed-classes…
Maybe we can use this an an argument to Americans against same-sex marriage. Do they want to emulate high-I.Q. Europe or ignorant Africa?
Mama knows best Ligier! LMFAO! Oh yah, thanks “meatballs” for cluing me in on the correct pronunciation of Sweden(Sverige) in Svenska. Now kindly send us over some six foot, blonde haired, blue eyed, bulked out “Svers”! =)) Make sure they bring their meatballs with them too! LOL!
Another domino falls and there’s more to come, way to go Sweden and welcome to the 21st century.
As for Poor RJLigier, it must be terrifying for you to see real freedom actually on the move. No more Heterocentric power for you. Must be tough to handle.
Oh yes and I agree with your mother.
Great for Sweden. One small step for straight men and women; one giant leap for GLBT rights.
…By the way, RJLigier, as your regretful mother, I do wish, in your case, that abortions were retro-active.
WHAT the approve it by 261 to 22 vote that is shocking here in the us i will probably get like 5.
by the way the supreme court of Nepal made gay marriage legal last year but the law doesn’t take effect till late this year or next year
Svenska means Swedish language, Sverige or “Kingdom of the Sver people” is the correct name for Sweden.