The first ex-Soviet state to do so.
Estonia’s parliament just made a historic move, legalizing same-sex marriage and amending its Family Law Act allowing for any two adults to marry “regardless of gender,” as noted in a press statement and confirmed by CNN.
The amendments will also allow for all couples to adopt children, with single LGBTQ folks able to petition to adopt as well.
Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas told CNN, “Everyone should have the right to marry the person they love and want to commit to. With this decision, we are finally stepping among other Nordic countries as well as all the rest of the democratic countries in the world where marriage equality has been granted.
“This is a decision that does not take anything away from anyone, but gives something important to many, it also shows that our society is caring and respectful towards each other. I am proud of Estonia.”
2016 marked the first time Estonia even recognized LGBTQ couples as part of the Registered Partnership Act, acknowledging same-sex couples, but stopping short of marriage. According to a survey conducted in April by Finnish research company Turu-uuringute AS, 53% of Estonians support marriage equality, a significant uptick compared to 34% in 2021.
Estonian Minister of Social Protection spoke on the landmark moment saying, “I am genuinely very grateful for the patience and understanding the LGBT community has shown for all these years, I hope that, in time, those opposed to marriage equality come to see that we don’t lose anything from taking such steps, but rather that we all gain from them. I am delighted that the decision has now been taken for a more forward-looking Estonia that cares for all.”
The law takes effect in January 2024. Fingers crossed this sets an example for other slow-moving regions, specifically Hungary and Russia where LGBTQ rights are still restricted.