BERLIN (AP) – Tens of thousands of people protested in Switzerland on Saturday over the legalization of same-sex marriage in the Alpine country.
The protests led to a national referendum on September 26 on the legalization of gay marriage, which has already been introduced in many other European countries, including Germany, Austria, France and the Netherlands.
The public broadcaster SRF reported that tens of thousands took part in the Zurich Pride parade with the slogan “You can do it. Weddings for everyone now “.
So far, same-sex couples in Switzerland can only get official approval for civil unions, which are not on equal terms with marriages. If a majority voted to legalize same-sex marriage in Switzerland, this would also allow children to be adopted. In addition, lesbian couples would have easier access to sperm donations if they wanted to start a family and it would be easier for foreign partners to obtain Swiss citizenship.
Opponents of legalization say that marriage should be reserved only for a man and a woman together and that children should have the right to have a traditional father and mother.
SRF reported that 70 groups in the LGBTQ community supported the protests.