30th in the world to legalize same-sex marriage
Switzerland has legalized same-sex marriage after a referendum. Switzerland became the 30th country to legalize same-sex marriage worldwide.
The New York Times and Associated Press reported that Switzerland held a referendum, with 64.1 percent of the population in favor of a bill recognizing same-sex marriage.
The New York Times reported that the bill to legalize same-sex marriage had a large approval rate in both urban and rural areas.
The Associated Press reported that same-sex marriage in Europe was allowed in the Netherlands in 2001, followed by Britain, France and Germany.
Meanwhile, Switzerland has recognized same-sex marriage in the form of ‘civil unions’. But a law was passed to treat same-sex marriage the same as heterosexual marriage.
“Civil union” is a system in which rights such as spouses and inheritance are recognized in accordance with marriage. However, it is characterized by the freedom of dissolution of the union than when a person who is legally married is divorced.
The New York Times reported that Italy is the leading country in Western Europe that does not recognize same-sex marriage. However, Italy recognizes same-sex ‘civil unions’.
