SW News: In a move that has upset pro-lifers and believers around the world, a majority of Swiss citizens gave their approval for same-sex marriages in a referendum on Sunday, September 26. According to the Swiss federal chancellery, 64 per cent of voters, almost two-thirds, said ‘yes’ to same-sex marriages. Thus, Switzerland becomes one of the last countries in Western Europe to legalize gay marriage.

Once the law is amended, gay couples will be able to get married in civil ceremonies and they will also be allowed to adopt children who are not related to them. The law will also permit lesbian couples to have babies through artificial insemination. Till date, this option was only given to heterosexual couples facing infertility issues.

Once the results of the vote were announced, Justice minister Karin Keller-Sutter said the law will be amended from July 1, 2022. She further said, “Whoever loves each other and wants to get married will be able to do so, regardless of whether it is two men, two women, or a man and a woman.”

Antonia Hauswirth of the national committee “Marriage for All” also supported the decision just like Amnesty International Movement. In a separate referendum, 64.9% of Swiss citizens rejected a capital gains tax proposal.