SAME-SEX MARRIAGES MAY BE LEGALIZED IN LATVIA

The Latvian Saeima has received an initiative requiring the legislative recognition of same-sex marriages. The petition was signed by more than 10 thousand people, after which it has been submitted to the Government.

The proponent of the initiative is activist Raimonds Petrovichs. He noted that the registration of the same-sex relations means the equality of rights that the EU values. And Latvia, as a member of the EU, should consider this issue as well. Petrovichs also recalled that same-sex marriages can be registered in 22 of the 28 EU member states.   

The activist also noted that the initiative he proposed included a responsibility and guarantees on the part of the state for the couples being in a permanent relationship.

At the same time, the Latvian media do not believe that the Saeima will approve the initiative – the similar proposal has already been rejected in 2019.

The experts believe that the issue of legalizing the same-sex marriages in Latvia should be put to a referendum. We should recall that such marriages are allowed in 47 countries.