In Switzerland, 64 percent of voters supported the legalization of same-sex marriage so that same-sex couples can adopt children, or that lesbian couples can conceive a child more easily with the help of a sperm donor, according to the first results of the referendum held on Sunday.
The counting of votes is expected to be completed later in the day, but there is no doubt about the outcome of the referendum.
Until now, Switzerland was one of the exceptions in Western Europe where homosexual couples could not marry. Gay and lesbian couples have been granted rights through a civil partnership registered in the country since 2007.
However, the change could already be detected in preliminary opinion polls, a survey published by the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation in mid-September revealed that 63 percent of citizens supported same-sex marriage, while only 35 percent opposed the proposal - and two percent were unsure about the issue.
Source and image: velvidek.ma/MTI/AFP
