Luxembourg Prime Minister, Xavier Bettel, has married his gay partner, becoming the first leader in the European Union to enter into a same-sex union in a symbol of growing social change across the continent.
Bettel, 42, a centre-right politician, who became premier in 2013, tied the knot on Friday with Gauthier Destenay, a Belgian architect, just months after the Roman Catholic duchy legalised gay weddings.
The prime minister and his partner held hands as they arrived for the low key ceremony at the Luxembourg town hall, where around 100 well-wishers applauded them.
“Thank you to all Luxembourgers,” Bettel said after the ceremony, as the crowd threw rice and confetti over the couple.
As well as being the first leader in the 28-nation EU to wed a gay partner, Bettel is only the second in the world after Iceland’s Prime Minister, Johanna Sigurdardottir, who married her writer partner in 2010.
Iceland is not part of the EU.
Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel, who was among the guests at Bettel’s wedding, said he had come for a “mate’s wedding”, adding that it was a “big moment” for his counterpart from the neighbouring country.
“Luxembourg is giving the image of a country that is advanced on social issues. That is a message sent at a time when homophobia is on the rise in Europe,” said another friend of the couple, journalist Stephane Bern.
Luxembourg’s parliament approved same-sex marriage in June 2014 and the first weddings took place on January 1, 2015, making it the latest in a growing number of European countries to embrace the trend.
Bettel’s wedding comes the week before staunchly Catholic Ireland holds a referendum on whether to allow same-sex marriage. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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Where the devil reigns things Like their happen. Shame on the west for this devilish and disgusting development which they are using economic leverage to export to africa.
ReplyDeleteWell said. Shame on them! Same sex!! Can't imagine!! I personally think it's a brain /psych problem that can be treated but because it's from them and most of the perverts involve have economic standing & influence they twist it all. WHAT A PITY. GOD WILL DELIVER THEM!
DeleteUnimaginable! Returning to the days of Sodom & Gomorrah? Lord please have mercy on the world.
ReplyDeleteThat is what happens where Christianity/western civilization prevails. Bunchof infidels.
DeleteHating people and judging them that all Nigerians are good at, you might not know, here in Nigeria in every 100 guys, 90 have involved in the act, 45 are Gay. Your brother might be one. He is just waiting for the right time to tell. You better start learning not to judge people, after all u also got ur unsolved problems with God
ReplyDelete