Switzerland has become the latest nation to legalize marriage equality.
CNN reports that voters in the country overwhelmingly approved a measure to extend marriage rights to same-sex couples, as well as to allow for adoption by same-sex parents. 61.4% of citizens of the nation approved the measure–nearly a two-thirds majority.
“We are very happy and relieved,” Antonia Hauswirth of the national committee “Marriage for All” said in a statement, welcoming the approval. International human rights organization Amnesty International also cheered the vote, calling it a “milestone for equality.”
Related: Bunkerig down in gay-friendly Gstaad-style as Covid hits Switzerland
The new law will also allow for same-sex couples to gain citizenship for foreign spouses. It will also allow lesbian couples to begin having children through sperm donation–a right previously only afforded to heterosexual couples.
The government of Switzerland has yet to approve a date for the new law to go into effect. Swiss Justice Minister Karin Keller-Sutter told reporters that it will likely take effect on July 1, 2022.
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GayEGO
Excellent news! Marriage Equality is gradually becoming the law of the world!
Max
yay!
Leo
Swiss Swish
MacAdvisor
“It will also allow lesbian couples to begin having children through sperm donation–a right previously only afforded to heterosexual couples.It will also allow lesbian couples to begin having children through sperm donation–a right previously only afforded to heterosexual couples.”
Lesbian couple, or even single lesbian, could get pregnant by sperm donation, but the health system wouldn’t pay for it, thus making it unaffordable for most.
winemaker
Since when should the government pay for artificial insemination or sperm donation? Really the fact Switzerland recently legalized same sex marriage is great but why should the government aka the taxpayers have to foot the bill for this? Same thing here, it’s like someone on medical who wants cosmetic surgery ’cause they have low self esteem or whatever and want the taxpayers to pay the bill, no thanks. If people want elective aka cosmetic medical procedures, let ’em pay out of their own pocket or do without.
Openminded
I believe you will find that Switzerland has a universal health care plan via the government, so this law gives lesbians equal coverage compared to straight women. I won’t argue that any health plan should provide this service to anyone, but if you are going to extend it to any group, it should be extended to all groups. I’m a hard ass, I feel health care should only cover treatments to return an involuntarily sick or injured person back to as healthy a state as reasonably possible. I feel reproductive services, birth control, chemical dependency treatment, and even Prep costs should be the responsibility of those desiring that service.