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Finland narrowly passes same-sex marriage law

By Josh Haggis

Finland

The Finnish government has voted to legalise same-sex marriage.

The success of the country’s gender-neutral marriage bill, which was narrowly passed today (November 28) by a majority of 105-92, makes Finland the 12th country in Europe to legalise same-sex marriage.

As well as allowing gay couples to marry, the new bill – which will come into power in 2016 – also gives same-sex couples the right to adopt children and share a surname, reports Reuters.

“Finland should strive to become a society where discrimination does not exist, human rights are respected and two adults can marry regardless of their sexual orientation,” argued Prime Minister Alexander Stubb shortly before the vote took place.

Meanwhile, former French President Nicolas Sarkozy has called for France’s gay marriage laws to be repealed – find out more here.

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