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Earthtimes.org
Majority
of Swedes accept
same-sex marriage,
report says
From the Web, January
21, 2008
Stockholm -- As Sweden's
centre-right government is wrestling with how to draft new legislation allowing
same-sex couples the right to marry, a new poll published Monday suggested
strong public support for the concept. A poll commissioned by the Svenska
Dagbladet newspaper suggested 71 per cent favoured allowing same-sex couples to
marry, 24 per cent were against while 6 per cent were undecided or doubtful.
Polling institute Sifo polled 1,000 people during January 14 to 17.
"The proposal has convincing support but is strongly opposed by Christian
Democrats," Toivo Sjoren of Sifo was quoted as saying.
Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt recently said the government would draft
legislation "but not this spring," despite the opposition from the Christian
Democrats, one of the four parties in his coalition.
The opposition Social Democrats, Green Party and Left Party also support
same-sex marriages and have indicated they were preparing their own proposal if
the government does not move.
Last year, the government asked various organizations and bodies to comment on
proposals to change current legislation.
A week ago, the deadline for comments ended, signalling the next phase in the
legislative process.
Among the bodies that have commented on the matter was the Church of Sweden, a
Lutheran church.
The central board of the church said it would accept pending changes of marriage
laws that would offer same-sex unions the same legal status as traditional
marriage.
However the term "marriage" should be reserved for the union between man and
woman, the board - elected by the Church Assembly, the highest decision-making
body in the church - said.
Same-sex couples have since 1995 been able to form a union in Sweden via
registered partnership which later was amended to allow them to adopt children.
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