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Sweden To Offer Civil Union Register At Some Embassies
by Jon ben Asher
365Gay.com Newscenter
European Bureau Chief
Posted: May 28, 2003 6:14 p.m. ET
(Stockholm) The Swedish government announced Wednesday that civil union registries will be set up at three of its embassies in Europe.
Under the plan, ambassadors will be able to perform the civil union ceremony and have the same-sex couples sign an official register.
The service will be available at Swedish embassies in Paris, Madrid and Lisbon, and is aimed at Swedish nationals who are unable to return home to sign the official register.
"It is natural for Sweden to be able to offer registration of partnership at embassies where the host country does not oppose it," Foreign Minister Anna Lindh said.
"France, Spain and Portugal have informed us that they have no objection to Sweden's request for registration of partnership."
Under Sweden's domestic partner law at least one partner must by a Swedish citizen.
But while gay activists welcomed the decision, they questioned why it was restricted to three embassies.
"Swedish embassies are Swedish territory. It's not the host country that decides policy," said Soeren Andersson, chairman of the Swedish Federation for Homosexual, Bisexual and Transsexual Rights.
Sweden was one of the first European countries to recognize same-sex relationships. In February, the country made it legal for gay couples to adopt children.
Nevertheless, Holland and Belgium remain the only countries in the world that permit gay and lesbian couples to marry.
©365Gay.com® 2003