Finnish Parliament approves same sex marriage

[Gunhead]

The Finnish Parliament voted on Friday afternoon to allow gender-neutral marriage, 105-92. The vote had been expected to be closer.

The gender-neutral marriage bill was seventh on the list of 15 votes. Four MPs out of the 200 MPs were absent on the first vote, concerning a reform of language laws, and two on the second vote, on car taxation. The third vote, on child subsidies, was also a vote of confidence in the government - which survived by a margin of 100-97. Only two MPs out of the 200 MPs were absent.

The unprecedented outcome marks the first time that a citizens' initiative has received lawmakers' blessing to be written into the law books. It also allows Finland to finally catch up with its Nordic peers, all of which have already legalised gay marriage.
Sweet triumph for supporters

The result was a sweet triumph for the thousands of supporters of marriage equality who gathered around the Parliament this afternoon. Many of them waved rainbow-coloured flags and banners. Shouts of "I do!" - the battle cry of the movement - echoed through the streets. Opponents of the measure also turned out for the session, but found themselves vastly outnumbered.

Parliamentary Speaker Eero Heinäluoma tightened security ahead of the vote, calling for calm on what has been a polarising subject both inside and outside the chamber. However there were no reports of disruptive behaviour - with one Yle correspondent describing the scene as having a Carnival-like atmosphere.

The reform will force wide-ranging changes in other legislation, which will take well over a year to finalise. The law will therefore not take effect until 2016 at the earliest. Finland has allowed registered partnerships since 2002.

Yle news

Can I get a fuck yeah!?! Now we just need to get this into actual law but it was about fucking time we took a step in the right direction. I will now bask in the wailing of the knuckledraggers who opposed this bill and give them a heart felt fuck you.

-Gunhead

[Tiriol]

I happened to take part in the demonstration outside the Parliament House and people were crying out of joy when they heard the news. One could see and feel the happiness and the relief of all those who now have a real shot at having a proper marriage with their loved one, one condoned by the state and society.

And all this on work time. I have a strange job from time to time. My face is now blastered in several YLE News pictures since I happened to be standing in a spot that was almost directly in line of sight to the news cameras. Not a bad thing, although I was amused to see my quietly smiling face among the cheering crowd.

[Edi]

Can I get a fuck yeah!?! Now we just need to get this into actual law but it was about fucking time we took a step in the right direction. I will now bask in the wailing of the knuckledraggers who opposed this bill and give them a heart felt fuck you.

-Gunhead

Yes, yes you can! About the bloody time it was too!

I was hoping for this outcome, but had a more pessimistic expectation, so I'm quite happy to have those expectations disappointed. All the anti-equality bullshit the opponents of the law kept spouting right up to the end was fucking infuriating.