As the Swedish government prepares to take up legislation that would allow same-sex couples to marry a new poll shows the idea has the support of 70-percent of the electorate.
The new survey indicates a marked increase in support for marriage equality over the past two years. In 2006 a similar poll found that 46 percent of Swedes were supportive of gay marriage, while 31 percent were opposed. The remainder were undecided.
The public opinion polling company Sifo conducted the most recent survey of 1000 people between January 14 and 17. Same-sex marriage currently is legal in five countries - the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, South Africa and Canada.
Like most European countries Sweden allows civil partnerships. Under a law enacted in 1995 same-sex couples haves most of the rights and obligations of marriage to gay and lesbian couples who register. But it did not provide for adoption of IVF.
In 2003 the law was amended to allow registered partners to adopt children and since 2006 women in registered partnerships have been allowed to receive in vitro fertalization.
A parliamentary committee studying the issue has called civil partnerships outdated and recommended Parliament allow same-sex marriage.
Six of Sweden's seven political parties support the legislation that would allow same-sex couples to marry, leaving only the small Christian Democratic Party opposing the measure.
Although tiny in numbers the Christian Democrats form part of a four party coalition government and the party has been successful in thwarting government attempts to bring in a gay marriage bill.
The opposition parties say they intend to introduce their own bill. That would break the deadlock and allow the measure to advance. A vote in Parliament would have little difficulty in passing.
The proposed legislation would create gender-neutral marriage, allow churches to perform ceremonies, provide same-sex couples with the right to adopt children and allow lesbians to have artificial insemination.
Last month the powerful Church of Sweden voiced its approval for gender neutral church weddings but said its liturgy would call them partnerships and reserve in the word marriage for opposite-sex marriages.
The denomination describes itself as Evangelical Lutheran and its membership includes about 75 percent of Sweden's population.
The new survey indicates a marked increase in support for marriage equality over the past two years. In 2006 a similar poll found that 46 percent of Swedes were supportive of gay marriage, while 31 percent were opposed. The remainder were undecided.
The public opinion polling company Sifo conducted the most recent survey of 1000 people between January 14 and 17. Same-sex marriage currently is legal in five countries - the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, South Africa and Canada.
Like most European countries Sweden allows civil partnerships. Under a law enacted in 1995 same-sex couples haves most of the rights and obligations of marriage to gay and lesbian couples who register. But it did not provide for adoption of IVF.
In 2003 the law was amended to allow registered partners to adopt children and since 2006 women in registered partnerships have been allowed to receive in vitro fertalization.
A parliamentary committee studying the issue has called civil partnerships outdated and recommended Parliament allow same-sex marriage.
Six of Sweden's seven political parties support the legislation that would allow same-sex couples to marry, leaving only the small Christian Democratic Party opposing the measure.
Although tiny in numbers the Christian Democrats form part of a four party coalition government and the party has been successful in thwarting government attempts to bring in a gay marriage bill.
The opposition parties say they intend to introduce their own bill. That would break the deadlock and allow the measure to advance. A vote in Parliament would have little difficulty in passing.
The proposed legislation would create gender-neutral marriage, allow churches to perform ceremonies, provide same-sex couples with the right to adopt children and allow lesbians to have artificial insemination.
Last month the powerful Church of Sweden voiced its approval for gender neutral church weddings but said its liturgy would call them partnerships and reserve in the word marriage for opposite-sex marriages.
The denomination describes itself as Evangelical Lutheran and its membership includes about 75 percent of Sweden's population.
No comments:
Post a Comment