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Sweden Considers Change from Civil Unions to "Marriage" for Homosexuals

STOCKHOLM March 3, 2004 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The Swedish Parliament is considering a change to the marriage law to include homosexual civil unions within the legal definition of marriage. Since 1995, homosexual partners have had their partnerships recognized with the same legal rights and privileges of marriage but were referred to officially as partnerships. The motions currently before the Parliament will change the wording of existing definitions to "gender neutral" wording that can be interpreted to include same-sex partnerships.

Marianne Mostroem, a spokeswoman for the parliament, said, "The laws committee began its work today. A first review is to be submitted on March 9, and the debate in parliament is scheduled for April 28."

The only party to make any protest has been the Christian Democrats who hold only 33 of the 349 seats in the parliament. All other parties are either vehemently in favor, are neutral or have yet to take a stand. Two Christian Democrat MPs and one Moderate MP have called for an amendment to stipulate that the law defines marriage as being "between a man and a woman - for the sake of children".

A recent poll shows 61% of Swedes are in favour of homosexual "marriage" and 30% are opposed.

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