ABOVE: A ‘Yes, love wins’ banner on a Swiss Fence, screenshot via BBC Europe.
BERN, Switzerland | Voters in Switzerland on Sept. 26 voted overwhelmingly in favor of a law that extends marriage rights to same-sex couples.
Swiss voters supported the “Marriage for All” law by a 64-36 percent margin in the referendum.
Lawmakers approved the statue late last year. Marriage equality opponents were able to force a referendum on it.
Switzerland joins neighboring France, Germany, Austria and other European countries that have extended marriage rights to same-sex couples.
Maria von Känel, co-president of the “Marriage for All” campaign, described the referendum results as “a historic day, a milestone for LGBTQ equality.”
“It’s a great achievement,” she told the Los Angeles Blade. “All cantons and 64.1 percent of Swiss voters have voted yes for marriage for all. Our partnerships and families are now recognized equally and legally.”
“We have great support of the family, children and human rights organizations and many thousands of people who took to the streets for this cause and did public work,” added von Känel. “We are infinitely grateful.”
