Same-sex marriages in Sweden are legal from this weekend, allowing gay couples - some of whom were previously civil unioned - to marry in civil or even religious ceremonies. Gay marriage was approved by Sweden's parliament in April, but the Lutheran Church - which counts almost three-quarters of the country's citizens as members - is yet to decide if it will perform marriage ceremonies for same-sex couples. Its synod will formally decide in October. Civil unions had been allowed in Sweden since 1995, and same-sex couples are also legally able to adopt children. Elsewhere in Europe, Spain, the Netherlands, Norway and Belgium also allow gay marriages.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News Staff
First published: Sunday, 3rd May 2009 - 9:32pm