In Switzerland, the yes vote won
A clear victory for the “"Yes"” Registered same-sex partnerships are the result of a popular referendum concluded today in Switzerland, the first on gay unions conducted in a European country. The votes in favor of gay and lesbian unions were in fact 1.557.671 (58%) against 1.126.578 (42%) of those against. Voter turnout exceeded 50%, although in Switzerland the referendum would have been valid even without reaching the quorum of 50% plus one.
“It's a great day for gays and lesbians in Switzerland. — comments the national president of Arcigay, Sergio Lo Giudice — They can finally feel like citizens on a par with everyone else and accepted by their society. We join in their celebration and ask: to Berlusconi and Prodi to prevent Italy from being the only European country that continues to discriminate against homosexual people in their affections and relationships"”.
The Swiss referendum was promoted by conservative groups opposed to equal rights for gays and lesbians. The aim was to reject a law introducing registered same-sex partnerships, which had already been approved by parliament but had not yet entered into force. Now, gay and lesbian couples who wish to register their union will be able to enjoy many of the same rights and obligations as married heterosexual couples.
With Switzerland they rise to 14 European states that already recognize same-sex unions, in varying forms. The others are: Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Finland, Hungary, France, Great Britain, Germany, Iceland, Portugal. Among these, the Netherlands and Belgium have extended true marriage to same-sex couples, as the EU is preparing to do. Spain, but the Spanish regions of Catalonia, Valencia, Aragon and Navarre already provide for the recognition of gay cohabitation.
In Italy a proposed law on Civil Solidarity Pact (PACS) It was introduced by Franco Grillini, a Democrat of the Left (DS) MP and honorary president of Arcigay, and signed by 161 MPs from various political parties. The passage of this law would offer two people who choose to share an important part of their lives the opportunity to be guaranteed mutual responsibilities and rights: free hospital care in the event of illness, making important decisions about their partner's health in the event of incapacity, mutual inheritance without the disadvantages of a will, receiving a survivor's pension, being protected in the event of separation, and enjoying the myriad rights and benefits granted to married heterosexual couples.
