Kindgo
Advanced Member
Member # 2
|
posted
Search the archive for: Switzerland
The Associated Press
ZURICH, Switzerland (September 22, 2002 8:17 p.m. EDT) - Voters in Switzerland's most populous state voted overwhelmingly Sunday to give same-sex pairs rights previously reserved for married couples.
In a joint statement, three Swiss gay rights groups said it was the first time in history that a referendum had been called on legal rights for homosexual couples.
By a 63-37 percent margin, the referendum in Zurich canton approved civil registration for gay and lesbian couples. They will have the same tax, inheritance and social security benefits as other married couples.
While a number of other European countries have already recognized same-sex unions, Zurich is the first Swiss canton to do so. Similar efforts are underway elsewhere in the country.
But partners must live in Zurich canton and formally commit themselves six months in advance to running a joint home and to providing each other with mutual support and aid.
"For the lesbians and gays of the canton of Zurich, this historic yes signifies that the state no longer considers them second-class citizens," said the statement by the Swiss Lesbian Organization; Pink Cross, the Swiss Organization of Gays; and FELS, the Friends and Parents of Lesbians and Gays.
The gay rights organizations said the governing Swiss cabinet should now move for all of Switzerland to treat same-sex couples and married couples with "perfect equality."
--------------------
God bless,
Kindgo
Inside the will of God there is no failure. Outside the will of God there is no success.
Posts: 4320 | From: Sunny Florida | Registered: Jun 2002
| IP: Logged | 
|
Printer-friendly view of this topic
