Registered partnership in Finland

Registered partnerships in Finland (Finnish: rekisteröity parisuhde; Swedish: registrerat partnerskap) were created for same-sex couples in 2002. The legislation granting similar rights and responsibilities to same-sex couples as to married opposite-sex couples was passed by the parliament in September 2001 with votes 99-84.^[1] In May 2009, the Parliament revised the law allowing couples to adopt the biological children of their partner.^[2] Registered partnerships, which are available only to same-sex couples, are registered and dissolved using a procedure similar to that for civil marriage. The legislation also permits joint custody of children and grants immigration rights to a foreign partner.

Same-sex marriage

A December 2006 EU poll put Finnish support for same-sex marriage at 45%.^[3] Currently, an August 2010 survey conducted by Finnish Broadcasting Company YLE, puts the Finnish support for gay marriage at 54%, with 35% of Finns opposing it.^[4]

A poll conducted by Christian newspaper Kotimaa reported in March 2010 that a narrow majority of Finnish MPs opposed same-sex marriage. Of the 126 MPs who responded asked if they would support a gender-neutral marriage law 46% were in favour and 54% were opposed. 63% of Social Democratic representatives supported gay marriage as well all MPs from the Greens and Left Alliance. Majorities of the Centre Party and National Coalition Party opposed gender-neutral marriage law.^[5][6]

However, a later survey in April 2010 by Helsingin Sanomat reported that there was cross-party support for gender-neutral marriage law and joint adoption rights. The National Coalition Party's secretary Taru Tujunen stated that an initiative would be put forward at the next party congress on gender-neutral marriage.^[7][8] In the June 2010 party congress, the NCP delegates voted in favor of a gender-neutral marriage law, though the vice-chairman of NCP parliament group Ben Zyskowicz does not believe a same-sex marriage bill will be approved by the NCP during the upcoming four years, basing his view on the fact that majority of the current NCP MPs are against it.^[9] Two weeks earlier the Social Democrats passed a measure in favor of same-sex marriage on their party congress.^[10] Left Alliance and Green League also support it.^[11][12] Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb, who held a speech at the opening ceremony of Helsinki Pride week on June 28, 2010, said he demands a gender-neutral marriage law with full adoption rights for gay couples.^[13]

On July 2, 2010, Minister of Justice Tuija Brax announced that the Ministry of Justice is preparing a reform of the Marriage Act in the autumn of 2011.^[14] According to Brax it is possible that same-sex marriage will be legalized in Finland by 2012.

See also

• LGBT rights in Finland
• Civil union
• Recognition of same-sex unions in Europe

References

1. ^ Parliament narrowly passes law allowing same-sex registration
2. ^ "Finland allows gay couples to adopt partner's children". Pink News. 2009-05-15. http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-12468.html. Retrieved 2009-05-17. 
3. ^ "Eight EU Countries Back Same-Sex Marriage". Angus Reid Global Monitor. December 24, 2006. http://www.angus-reid.com/polls/view/eight_eu_countries_back_same_sex_marriage/. Retrieved July 21, 2010. 
4. ^ "Survey: Majority Favour Gender Neutral Marriage Law". YLE. http://www.yle.fi/uutiset/news/2010/08/survey_majority_favour_gender_neutral_marriage_law_1921086.html. Retrieved August 22, 2010. 
5. ^ "Slim majority of Finnish MPs against same-sex marriage -Poll". Helsinki Times. 11 March 2010. http://www.helsinkitimes.fi/htimes/domestic-news/politics/10199-slim-majority-of-finnish-mps-against-same-sex-marriage-poll-.html. Retrieved 11 March 2010. 
6. ^ (Finnish) "Homoliitot jakavat eduskunnan". MTV3. 11 March 2010. http://www.mtv3.fi/uutiset/kotimaa.shtml/arkistot/kotimaa/2010/03/1075901. Retrieved 11 March 2010. 
7. ^ "Widespread support within Parliamentary parties for gender-neutral marriage". Helsingin Sanomat. http://www.hs.fi/english/article/Widespread+support+within+Parliamentary+parties+for+gender-neutral+marriage+/1135256061257. Retrieved 23 April 2010. 
8. ^ "Finnish parliamentary support for gay marriage and adoption rights". IceNews. 23 April 2010. http://www.icenews.is/index.php/2010/04/23/finnish-parliamentary-support-for-gay-marriage-and-adoption-rights/. Retrieved 23 April 2010. 
9. ^ (Finnish) Helsingin Sanomat. "Lehdet: Zyskowicz toppuuttelee sukupuolineutraalia avioliittolakia". http://www.hs.fi/politiikka/artikkeli/Lehdet+Zyskowicz+toppuuttelee+sukupuolineutraalia+avioliittolakia/1135258934377. Retrieved July 30, 2010. 
10. ^ NCP delegates endorse abolition of mandatory Swedish, gender-neutral marriage
11. ^ (Finnish) Rikkaus lisääntyy jakamalla
12. ^ (Finnish) Vihreä tehtävä 2010–2014 - poliittinen ohjelma
13. ^ (Finnish) "Stubb vaati homopareille täyttä adoptio-oikeutta Helsinki Priden avajaisissa". Helsingin Sanomat. June 28, 2010. http://www.hs.fi/kaupunki/artikkeli/Stubb+vaati+homopareille+t%C3%A4ytt%C3%A4+adoptio-oikeutta+Helsinki+Priden+avajaisissa/1135258198237. Retrieved July 20, 2010. 
14. ^ "Gender-Neutral Marriage Law Possible by 2012". YLE. http://www.yle.fi/uutiset/news/2010/07/gender-neutral_marriage_law_possible_by_2012_1804013.html. Retrieved 2 July 2010.