Swiss Miss....

Swiss voters set to back same-sex marriage

Initial projections suggest strong backing for bid to widen rights of same-sex couples.

BY LILI BAYER

The majority of Swiss voters have backed same-sex marriage in a referendum, according to initial projections. 

While same-sex couples in Switzerland are currently able to enter registered partnerships, they do not enjoy the same rights as married couples.

But under an amended law up for a referendum, same-sex couples would be allowed to have civil weddings and be granted equal rights, including adopting children together and applying for simplified naturalization. Female couples would also receive access to regulated sperm donation. 

Sixty-four percent of participants in the nationwide vote support the plans, according to projections by the gfs.bern institute, conducted for public broadcaster SRG.

Olga Baranova, head of the Swiss marriage for all campaign, welcomed the results. 

“We’re extremely relieved, we’re extremely happy,” she told POLITICO in a phone interview on Sunday afternoon. “This is really a historical day,” she added, with the outcome reflecting “how accepted LGBT people are in Switzerland.” 

Nevertheless, Baranova said there are more fights ahead in the push for Swiss equality. “The campaign was quite homophobic,” she said. “So the fight against homophobia will continue.”

Full results are expected later on Sunday.