Estonia’s marriage equality law takes effect
A law that extends marriage and adoption rights to same-sex couples in Estonia took effect on Monday. Lawmakers last July approved the marriage equality bill by a 55-34 vote margin.
Estonia is the first Baltic country and the first former Soviet republic to allow same-sex couples to legally marry. “It’s an important moment that shows Estonia is a part of northern Europe,” Baltic Pride Project Manager Keio Soomelt told the Guardian newspaper. “For the LGBT+ community, it is a very important message from the government that says, finally, we are as equal as other couples; that we are valuable and entitled to the same services and have the same options.” The country’s civil partnership law has been in place since 2013.
The Guardian reported same-sex couples could begin to apply for marriage licenses on Monday. Authorities are expected to process the first applications by Feb.
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