According to results provided by the Swiss federal chancellery, 64.1 per cent of voters were in favour of same-sex marriage in the nationwide referendum, which was conducted under Switzerland's system of direct democracy. The amended law will make it possible for same-sex couples to get married and to adopt children unrelated to them. Amnesty International said in a statement that opening civil marriage to same-sex couples was a "milestone for equality." A woman embraces her partner during an event in Bern following a nationwide referendum on same-sex marriage in Switzerland on Sunday. Most countries in western Europe already recognize same-sex marriage, while most of those in central and eastern Europe don't allow wedlock involving two men or two women.

Source: CBC News September 26, 2021 17:13 UTC