Slovenian Equality

From Yahoo:
"Slovenia allows same-sex couples to marry, adopt children"

 

Slovenia joined a growing number of European countries that allow same-sex marriages late on Tuesday, almost three years after a similar law was rejected in a national referendum. Parliament passed the law giving same-sex couples the right to marry and adopt children with 51 votes in favor and 28 against. "This will be a step towards a truly patient and inclusive society with which Slovenia enters the twenty-first century," Matej Tasner Vatovec of center-left opposition party the United Left, which proposed the law, told parliament before the vote. Two center-right opposition parties and several civic groups fiercely opposed the changes, particularly giving same-sex couples the right to adopt children. The Civil Initiative for Family and Children's Rights, which opposes the changes, said on Wednesday it would push for a referendum on the law, which is similar to one rejected by Slovenians in a popular vote in 2012.  It is unlikely to succeed because Slovenia changed its referendum legislation in 2013 and no longer allows plebiscites on human rights issues. A number of other European Union member countries have already recognized same-sex marriage, including Britain, France and Spain, although it remains a contentious issue in more socially conservative eastern states. Croatia, which like Slovenia was part of former Yugoslavia, rejected same-sex marriage in a referendum in late 2013 and bans gay couples from adopting children, although they can register their partnerships.

^ This  is a big step for eastern Europe. Slovenia is the first former communist country to allow gay marriage and also given full equality. ^

http://news.yahoo.com/slovenia-allows-same-sex-couples-marry-adopt-children-104028618.html;_ylt=A0SO8yaGf_dUiH4AQ0tXNyoA;_