Denmark’s new marriage legislation allows gay couples to be married in full church ceremonies, not just in the brief blessings or civil registration of partnerships allowed earlier. Reuters reports the law passed by the Danish parliament by a vote of 85-24 will take effect on June 15 and give gay couples exactly the same rights to be married as heterosexual couples. "I am very glad that a broad majority could be gathered to give homosexuals the same opportunity as all others to celebrate their love with marriage in church as well as in city hall," Gender Equality and Ecclesiastical Affairs Minister Manu Sareen said in a statement. "We have taken a big step for equality in Denmark - and for love." Sareen said the legal amendment was the culmination of a long process. "We've been discussing the right of homosexuals to be wed in church for many years." Priests will still be able to exercise discretion on whether or not they will wed gay couples.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Monday, 11th June 2012 - 11:19am