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Switzerland's Gay wedding |
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Sweden is poised to approve legislation authorizing marriage between persons of the same sex, an initiative has the backing of six of the seven parties represented in parliament. Voters in Switzerland's most populous state decided by an overwhelming margin Sunday to give same-sex couples rights previously reserved for married couples. In a joint statement, three Swiss gay rights groups said it is the first time in history that legal rights for gay and lesbian couples have been decided at the ballot. By a 63%-37% margin, voters in the Swiss canton of Zurich approved civil registration for same-sex couples. They will have the same tax, inheritance, and social security benefits as heterosexual married couples. While a number of other European countries already recognize same-sex unions, Zurich is the first Swiss canton to do so. Similar efforts are under way elsewhere in the country. Partners must live in the Zurich canton and formally commit themselves six months in advance to running a joint home and providing each other with mutual support and aid.
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