On Dec. 18, the Swiss parliament approved a bill allowing same-sex couples to marry, finally bringing the nation in line with much of Europe on LGBTQ rights, http://TheLocal.ch reported.
However, the Swiss residents themselves will have the final say on the matter as the Christian, ultra-conservative Federal Democratic Union party announced it will ask for the legislation to be put to a referendum. Public polls have shown that the most citizens favor marriage equality.
Switzerland is one of few European countries where same-sex marriage is not legal. Same-sex couples can enter into “registered partnerships,” but this status does not provide the same rights as marriage, including obtaining citizenship and the joint adoption of children.
“This is a historic victory for the rights of the LGBTI* Community,” Amnesty Switzerland tweeted.