Marriage equality now legal in Finland

Finland’s new marriage equality laws came into effect this week, with same-sex couples now able to legally marry and adopt children.

The legislation was passed in 2014 after three prior failed attempts. Lawmakers last month shot down a far-right petition calling for its repeal, and have now enacted the law.

Finland has had same-sex unions since 2002 but with restricted rights. The new law removes the legal distinctions between same-sex and opposite-sex partnerships, granting full rights to same-sex couples.

An increasing number of European countries are legalising marriage equality. Slovenia allowed same-sex marriages last week.

Some far-right parties in Europe remain opposed to marriage equality, with France’s National Front pledging to replace same-sex marriage with civil unions.

Finland is the final Nordic country to enact marriage equality. Denmark was the first country to do so in 1989.