NETHERLANDS: Parliament Moves To End Refusal Rights On Same-Sex Marriage

In a move that echoes an ongoing battle in New York state, this week the Dutch parliament voted to end an exemption which permits civil marriage officiants to refuse gay couples.

MPs voted on Tuesday afternoon for a change in the law to prevent civil servants refusing to conduct gay marriages. It is thought to be the first time the government has been defeated in an important parliamentary vote. Under current legislation, registrars can refuse to carry out a gay wedding if they are opposed on religious grounds. The cabinet has argued that as long as gay couples can get married in every local authority area, opt-outs should be allowed. But opposition MPs say this is institutionalised discrimination and want a change in the law. Although the anti-Islam PVV is sympathetic to this position, the party had been expected to vote against it because of its alliance with the minority cabinet.

Maybe one of our Dutch readers can tell us what happens next.