Finland rejects same-sex marriage Bill

The Finnish Parliament’s Legal Affairs Committee has rejected a Bill to introduce ‘gender-neutral’ marriage.

The committee voted 9-8 against the Bill, which means it will now not be brought before the full Parliament.

The Bill was proposed by Alexander Stubb, from the National Coalition Party which is part of the coalition Government.

Legal

Currently in Finland, same-sex couples can register their partnerships and have the same legal benefits as those who are married.

In the US, 31 states have rejected legalising gay marriage, following votes by the people.

And just eleven out of the 193 UN member countries have legalised same-sex marriage, including Denmark, Norway and Sweden.

[more]