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Sweden Legalizes Gay Marriage

Parliament passes law 261-22

By Matt Cantor, Newser Staff

Posted Apr 2, 2009 6:53 AM CDT

(Newser) – Sweden’s Parliament legalized gay marriage yesterday, becoming the fifth European country to do so, CNN reports. Registered partnerships were already permitted in the country, but the new law will allow same-sex couples to officially tie the knot starting May 1. The only party to oppose was the Christian Democrats, who had called for dumping the word “marriage” as a legal term altogether.

The Netherlands, Norway, Belgium, and Spain also allow gay marriages. It will still be up to individual churches to decide if they want to wed gay couples.

Exterior view of the Swedish Parliament building, The Riksdag. (Getty Images)

Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt arrives for an EU summit at the EU Council building in Brussels, Friday March 20, 2009. (AP Photo/Thierry Charlier)

King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden speaks during the official opening of the new session of Parliament at The Riksdag on September 16, 2008 in Stockholm, Sweden. (Getty Images)

Sweden has legalized gay marriage. (AP Photo/Benjamin Sklar)

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 13 comments

paul123

Apr 5, 2009 2:52 AM CDT

mark, poorly made, as you lack important insight.

MarkFL

Apr 3, 2009 3:53 AM CDT

paul123, you don't know what you are saying. Are Europeans poor, ignorant and hungry? Gay marriage is actually a victory for libertarianism and personal freedom which is the exact opposite of socialism. Socialism has become the red flag word for conservatives. Unfortunately, they don't know what it means, when to apply it and why they think it is bad. Conservatives have not learned anything. I can't wait to hear the 2010 midterms and all of the socialism talk. I really hope that they are still going at it in 2012. Palin/Jindal '12: No Ideas, No Socialism, and No Clue.

Michael_CT

Apr 2, 2009 12:57 PM CDT

interesting comments. but yeah, America better get with the times and start worrying about more important issues.

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Sweden Legalizes Gay Marriage

Parliament passes law 261-22

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Gay Marriage Clears Big Hurdle in Maryland

State could soon be the eighth state to legalize

NJ Gay Marriage Bill Advances to Christie's Desk

New Jersey governor promises to veto it

GOP Lawmakers Want to Repeal Gay Marriage in NH

But some Republicans hope to skip the contentious issue

Washington State Legalizing Gay Marriage

Bill expected to be signed within days

Supreme Court's Move on Gay Marriage? Maybe Not

Prop 8 ruling is limited to California, providing a potential reason to skip

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Parliament passes law 261-22

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gay rights • gay marriage • Sweden • parliament

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[ By Views ]

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More Newser Stories

Gay Marriage Clears Big Hurdle in Maryland

State could soon be the eighth state to legalize

NJ Gay Marriage Bill Advances to Christie's Desk

New Jersey governor promises to veto it

GOP Lawmakers Want to Repeal Gay Marriage in NH

But some Republicans hope to skip the contentious issue

Washington State Legalizing Gay Marriage

Bill expected to be signed within days

Supreme Court's Move on Gay Marriage? Maybe Not

Prop 8 ruling is limited to California, providing a potential reason to skip

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