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Germany legalizes Gay Marriage
8 years ago
Today has been a great day for marriage equality. The Germany parliament passed a bill with 393 to 226 votes that legalizes same-sex marriage. The bill will go into effect in September.
Even though Chancellor Angela Merkel voted against it, roundabout 75 members of her own party, the Christian Democratic Union - who play the role of conservatives in German politics - voted for the bill.
Better late than never: Germany is now the 23rd country in the world that grants marriage rights equally to heterosexual and homosexual couples. I'm disappointed that it took us longer than Catholic countries like Spain, Ireland or Argentina. Heck, even South Africa was faster.
Some conservatives want to challenge the bill in the German Supreme Court now, saying it violates Article 6 of the Grundgesetz - the German constitution - which grants special federal protection to the "institutions of marriage and family". While I admit that it is a bit of an uncertainty how the court will decide, I don't think they'll overturn the bill. It would be scandalous if the German Supreme Court overthrow same-sex marriage legalization whilst in many other countries it were the courts that made it possible in the first place.
Nonetheless, today is a happy day for gay rights in Germany and a reason for celebration
Even though Chancellor Angela Merkel voted against it, roundabout 75 members of her own party, the Christian Democratic Union - who play the role of conservatives in German politics - voted for the bill.
Better late than never: Germany is now the 23rd country in the world that grants marriage rights equally to heterosexual and homosexual couples. I'm disappointed that it took us longer than Catholic countries like Spain, Ireland or Argentina. Heck, even South Africa was faster.
Some conservatives want to challenge the bill in the German Supreme Court now, saying it violates Article 6 of the Grundgesetz - the German constitution - which grants special federal protection to the "institutions of marriage and family". While I admit that it is a bit of an uncertainty how the court will decide, I don't think they'll overturn the bill. It would be scandalous if the German Supreme Court overthrow same-sex marriage legalization whilst in many other countries it were the courts that made it possible in the first place.
Nonetheless, today is a happy day for gay rights in Germany and a reason for celebration
If anyone argues against it, I would just say, "The 16th right on the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights is to have the right to marriage and family." Then, I would just watch the embarrassed looks on all the people's faces of the opposing party. That would just basically end the conversation right there.
Thank you, it has indeed!
Thank you!
Congratulations!