SWEDEN NEXT TO ALLOW GAY WEDDINGS

Sweden’s Prime Minister, Fredrik Reinfeldt, has said that legislation that will legalise same-sex marriage in that country is on track to become law.

A motion was tabled in parliament asserting that “regardless of sexual orientation, people in stable couple relationships have a need to manifest their feelings and their desire to live together.”

Gay and lesbian couples have had the right to Civil Unions since 1995 but some parties such as the Christian Democrats are opposed to classifying these partnerships as “marriage”.

It is believed that Reinfeldt nevertheless can muster enough votes in parliament despite the opposition from the Christian Democrats.

A 2007 parliamentary committee study on the issue of gay marriage recommended that same-sex marriage be legalised.

The bill is expected to become law by 1 May this year. Same-sex marriage is now legal in South Africa, Canada, Holland, Belgium, Spain and Norway.