Czech government passes vote to legalise same-sex marriage
(Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
The Czech government has just passed a vote to legalise same-sex marriage.
A group of 46 lawmakers across the floor drafted the marriage bill that will grant Czech same-sex couples the right to marry on Friday.,
“Just few minutes ago the Czech government agreed with a parliamentary bill allowing Czech same-sex couples to marry!” wrote same-sex marriage campaigner Czeslaw Walek in delight on Twitter.
“Huge step forward! It’s time for freedom to marry in Czechia! #jsmefer”
“Czech government decided today to support an equal marriage bill. The document will be discussed by the Parliament now. This is a great news for #LGBT in the Czech Republic!” wrote Prague Pride on their Twitter page in celebration.
The Czech Republic has been allowing gay and lesbian couples to enter registered partnerships since 2006.
However, Czech same-sex couples will now be granted same-sex marital rights like their straight brethren.
In a poll conducted in May of this year, 50 percent of respondents supported gay marriage, reported Reuters.
The Czech Republic is the first former Eastern Bloc country to grant same-sex couples marital rights.
It has become the 17th country in the EU to legalise same-sex marriage.
It is uncertain at this stage when the bill will come into effect.
