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For the first time in its history, Switzerland celebrates marriages between same-sex couples. Nine months after the ‘Marriage for All’ law was approved, homosexual couples in the Alpine country will be able to have the same equal conditions as heterosexual couples.
Amid laughter and applause from the guests, Alois Carnier, 57, and Peter Leu, 67, said “yes” at a notary’s office in the city of Schaffhausen, in northern Switzerland. This Friday was the first time that a couple of two men legally celebrated a marriage in that country.
All this after the “Marriage for All” law came into force, which was approved by a referendum in May with 64.1% favorability, where voters approved the legalization of homosexual marriage.
With the application of this law, same-sex couples will be able to adopt children together, grant citizenship to their spouse in case of being a foreigner, and obtain benefits in pensions, health, among other issues.
Switzerland is one of the last countries in Europe to legalize same-sex marriage. Italy, Monaco, the Czech Republic, among others, still grant the recognition of “civil union” to this type of relationship.
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“It is true that Switzerland has been a bit slow. After all, it is not a moment too soon. Now is the time,” said Laure, a 45-year-old executive who married her partner Aline in Geneva on Friday, after the legalization of marriage in your country. The date coincided with the 19th anniversary of their civil union. Together they have a 4-year-old son.
Switzerland had recognized the right to form civil unions in 2007 and the right to adopt children raised by their partner in 2018. However, with this type of recognition, they did not have access to the same rights as heterosexual couples, such as regular adoption. nor waiting donations.
“I think it’s important that our marriage be recognized equally and not be cast aside in a special category,” Peter said a few minutes after finishing the marriage ceremony with her new husband Alois.
To finish consolidating their union, the couple hopes to celebrate a religious wedding next year. The presiding council of the Swiss Catholic Christian Church voted in June to allow same-sex weddings, with the same rituals and sacraments as heterosexual couples.
Geneva Mayor Marie Barbey-Chappuis welcomed the decision and attended Laure and Aline’s ceremony, which she described as “a very moving and long-awaited moment, which sends a strong message to society… to be free.” to love”.
With Reuters and AP
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