Same Sex Marriage
Same-sex marriage became legal in Denmark on 15 June 2012, after the Danish parliament voted on 7 June in favour of gender-neutral marriage, including marriages in the Church of Denmark. Formerly, Denmark had recognised civil unions (registreret partnerskab) since 1989 — the first country to do so.
A December 2006 European Union member poll showed Danish support for same-sex marriage at 69 percent. Angus Reid Global Monitor conducted the poll for issues regarding European Union integration. With the attitudes in Europe regarding the legalization of same-sex marriage, Denmark proved to be high on the list of possible nations that would grant marriage to gay and lesbian citizens, in third place behind The Netherlands (82 percent) and Sweden (71 percent).
The Danish government proposed marriage equality legislation in parliament on 14 March 2012. Parliament passed the bill, and royal assent was granted three days later. The law entered into force on 15 June 2012. The proposed legislation removes almost all discrimination in current law, leaving only a few gender-specific articles.
No religious societies are obligated to perform marriages. It has always been legal to perform a wedding-like ceremony for same-sex couples, but the ceremony has had no legal effect.
Read more about this topic: LGBT Rights In Denmark
Famous quotes containing the word marriage:
“In marriage there are no manners to keep up, and beneath the wildest accusations no real criticism. Each is familiar with that ancient child in the other who may erupt again.... We are not ridiculous to ourselves. We are ageless. That is the luxury of the wedding ring.”
—Enid Bagnold (1889–1981)