Just Say Yes
The opposition and three out of four parties of the Swedish government coalition wants to legalise same-sex marriages. The only political party in Parliament to oppose a reform is the tiny Christian Democrats.
While the Christian Right tries to kill the issue in an interminable going-nowhere quasi-debate, an increasing number of people get frustrated over the lack of progress. To legalise same-sex marriage should not be a problem in a Sweden. A massive majority of 71 per cent support it, and in Parliament, 325 out of 349 MPs are in favour of granting same-sex couples the right to marry. The only problem is twenty-four Christians who threaten to leave government if gays are allowed to tie the knot.
Now I learn that the socialist opposition parties have taken an initiative. In a letter, they are urging nine liberal and conservative MPs to vote in favour of their marriage bill on 16 April. The bill will pass if only four of these MPs have the guts to rebel against the Prime Minister’s fawning on the Christian Right.
I know some of these MPs and would urge them to do it. Vote in favour of love and equality, and ignore the bigoted theocrats! If the Christian Democrats want to make a big deal about it afterwards—let them.