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Loading ...Sweden on track for spring gay weddings
01.22.2009 9:02am EST
(Stockholm) Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt said Wednesday that legislation allowing same-sex couples to marry is on track and should become law by May 1.
Reinfeldt said he is confident the legislation will be approved by Parliament despite the lack of support from one of the parties in his four-party coalition government.The junior Christian Democrats say they are not opposed to giving same-sex couples all of the rights of marriage but have balked at using the word marriage.
The opposition Social Democrats have endorsed the bill, and Reinfeldt said that even without Christian Democrat support he has the votes to ensure passage.
The bill would allow same-sex couples to have either civil marriages or church weddings in those denominations that approve them.
Sweden already allows civil partnerships.
A parliamentary committee studying the issue in 2007 called civil partnerships outdated and recommended Parliament allow same-sex marriage.
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.
The Lutheran Church makes up than 70 percent of Sweden’s population although few are churchgoers. Until 2000 it was the state church in Sweden.
Passage of the bill would make Sweden the fourth European country after Holland, Belgium and Spain to allow same-sex marriage. A marriage bill is under consideration in Norway. The UK affords gay couples all of the rights and obligations of marriage but without the name. Several other countries in the European Union, such as Germany and France, allow same-sex couples limited rights.
Earlier this month the Parliament approved a motion calling for the recognition of the rights of same-sex couples and an end to homophobia in all 27 EU countries. The measure still needs the approval of the EU’s Council of Ministers before becoming law.
Does anyone look at these? It’s a couple of days later and the article hasn’t been corrected to show it’s error regarding Norway. Still not the old 365gaynews on the internet.
I wouldn’t be surprised if the cozy, tidy and prosperous little kingdom of Denmark (I’ve been to Denmark, Norway and Sweden)(one of the very first countries of Europe to have a civil unions type of arrangement for its gay couples and for those of its territory Greenland)might become in near future the next European country after Sweden to grant gay marriage to its citizens.
Maybe Denmark (Danmark in Danish)might become European country #6 to grant marriage equality.
After May 2009, there will be 7 marriage equality countries in the world including Canada and South Africa.
We read some time ago about Nepal’s court directing the Nepali government to grant same-sex Nepali couples rights including marriage equality. Still waiting to read whether or not Nepal will indeed become the 1st Asian country to grant marriage equality to its citizens.
Correction,,,
Sweden with be the 5th, one two three four FIFTH European country to have marriage equality. The Netherlands, Belgium, Spain and NORWAY and if this legislation is passed Sweden.
The same-sex marriage law came into effect in Norway on January 1st 2009.
So actually Sweden will become the fifth European country to allow gay marriage.
A possible correction: I understand Norway became the fourth European nation to legalize gay marriage as at January 1st this year. So with the pending legalization coming into effect in Sweden, in May, that would make that country the fifth in Europe to recognize equal marriage for gay couples. But whose counting, right? The wonderful thing is that we have the priviledge of living in a era that is gradually breaking down all the barriers of hate and discrimination and recognizing the equality of all people – each and everyone of us!