Same-sex marriage legal in Germany now
Berlin, June 30
Germany’s Parliament backed the legalisation of same-sex marriage on Friday in a historic vote hailed by gay activists and leftist parties but criticised by some in Chancellor Angela Merkel’s ruling conservative bloc and by the Catholic Church.
The move brings Germany into line with many other European nations including France, Britain and Spain and follows Merkel’s surprise decision this week to allow her lawmakers to follow their own conscience rather than the party line on the issue. Merkel, daughter of a Protestant pastor, voted against the Bill.
Hundreds of gay activists, some with painted faces, celebrated outside the Bundestag lower house of parliament after the vote, waving rainbow flags and placards that read “Marriage for all, make love for all”.
“This is simply a historic day for Germany,” said Soeren Landmann, a marriage equality activist. “Today, thousands of same-sex couples were given equality, and the two-class society in matters of love was abolished. Germany can really rejoice today.”
The vote has particular resonance in Germany as it unwinds a legacy of virulent homophobia. Earlier this year, Parliament agreed to grant compensation to thousands of gay men jailed under a 19th century law that was strengthened by the Nazis and only dropped in 1969 when homosexuality was decriminalised in West Germany.
Merkel, who is seeking a fourth term in a national election on September 24, said she had voted against the Bill because she believed that marriage as defined under German law was between a man and a woman.
But she said her decision was a personal one, adding that she had become convinced in recent years that same-sex couples should be allowed to adopt children.
“I hope that the vote today not only promotes respect between the different opinions but also brings more social cohesion and peace,” she said.
A survey by pollster INSA for daily Bild showed this week that three quarters of Germans favoured the legalisation of same-sex marriage.
Lawmakers voted by 393 votes in favour of same-sex marriage to 226 against, with four abstentions.
The landmark vote came about almost by chance after Merkel announced on Monday she would allow lawmakers to vote on same-sex marriage according to their individual conscience, drawing the ire of some in her traditionally Catholic conservative bloc.
Same-sex marriage became a hot election topic after three parties -- the Social Democrats (SPD), the pro-business Free Democrats and the Greens -- each made it a condition for joining any future coalition with Merkel’s conservatives, effectively forcing her hand. The SPD is part of the current coalition.
The swift, untroubled passing of the legislation contrasts with the experience of neighbouring France, where the issue was a political hot potato for months, triggering mass street protests.
The Catholic Church said it regretted the decision. “An appreciation of same-sex cohabitation can also be expressed by a different institutional design,” said Archbishop Heiner Kochof of Berlin. The same-sex bill will likely be signed into law by President Frank-Walter Steinmeier some time after July 7. — Reuters
It’s Legal in 22 other nations around the world
- Many other European countries, including France, Britain and Spain, have already legalised same-sex marriage. The newly-elected Prime Minister of Malta, Joseph Muscat has also pledged to legalise gay marriage in the country
- Aside from Germany, same-sex marriage is legal in 22 countries: Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Britain, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, Finland, France, Greenland, Iceland, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Uruguay, US
- The first country to legalise same-sex marriage was the Netherlands in 2001. Northern Ireland is the only part of the United Kingdom where same-sex marriage is not allowed
- In Africa, where homosexuality is a crime in many countries and can lead to imprisonment or the death penalty, South Africa alone has granted the same access to gay couples. Same-sex marriage legislation came into force there in 2006
- There are no countries in Asia that allow same-sex couples to marry, or enter civil unions of any kind. In May, Taiwan’s constitutional court ruled that same-sex couples have the right to legally marry, the first such ruling in Asia
