Words by Smiley Team
Weddings are taking place all over the country as Switzerland has legalised same-sex marriage.
While same-sex civil partnerships have been legal since 2007, it was only in the autumn of 2021 that the referendum to allow same-sex marriage went through.
Until now, same-sex couples with a civil partnership were not given the same rights and benefits that married heterosexual couples were, and could not adopt children together, or facilitate citizenship.
But as of 1 July 2022, same-sex marriage is legal, giving same-sex couples the same rights as heterosexual couples. Same-sex couples who enter into a marriage, rather than a civil partnership, will now be able to adopt children together, among other benefits.
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In a national referendum in September 2021, the ‘Marriage for All’ act received 64.1% of votes, despite Switzerland being a traditionally conservative country.
Thanks to this referendum, on 1 July 2022, same-sex couples all across the country were able to be married, with the full benefits they deserve. Couples who are already in civil partnerships will be able to convert them into traditional marriages.
At Smiley News, we think there couldn’t be a better way to kick off wedding season.
DONATE: Give to the Kaleidoscope Trust, which is working to legalise same-sex marriage across the Commonwealth.
SUPPORT: Get involved with Stonewall, which continues to campaign for LGBTQ+ rights and inclusivity.
