Switzerland legalized same-sex civil marriages and adoptions Sunday. Nearly two-thirds of the public that voted in a referendum agreed to implement the new law, making Switzerland one of the few Western European countries that have approved pro-gay legislation.
The Swiss federal chancellery said 64.1% of voters were in favor of same-sex marriages. The voting was done through a nationwide public referendum, which is part of the country's system of direct democracy.
The head of Switzerland's Marriage for All committee, Antonia Hauswirth, applauded the decision and added that they are very "happy and relieved." She added that her group's members will be celebrating the passing of the legislation.
"It is a historic day for Switzerland, a historic day when it comes to equality for same-sex couples, and it is also an important day for the whole LGBT community," the pro-gay marriage group said.
Human rights group Amnesty International said the passing of equal civil marriage rights for same-sex couples in Switzerland is a major "milestone for equality." Switzerland will be the 30th country in the world to legalize same-sex marriages. It is also the last remaining Western European country to do so, with The Netherlands being the first to pass such a law in 2001.
Meanwhile, groups opposed to the legislation - including the No to Marriage for All committee and the right-wing Swiss People's Party - criticized the passing of the legislation. The anti-gay marriage referendum committee said its opposition to the law is not about "love and feelings" but legitimate concern for the welfare of children. The group said children and fathers are those that will suffer the most now that the country is legalizing same-sex marriages and same-sex adoptions.
Under the newly amended civil laws, same-sex couples can now legally get married in Switzerland. Same-sex couples can also now adopt children that are unrelated to either of them. Married lesbian couples can also now legally have children through artificial insemination. Before the referendum, pregnancies through sperm donors were only legal for married heterosexual couples.
Amendments were also made to the law that now makes it easier for same-sex foreign spouses of Swiss citizens to migrate and get citizenship in the country. Swiss Justice Minister Karin Keller-Sutter said the new amendments to the country's marriage laws will go into effect by July next year.
