A ´Say Yes´ campaign for non-discriminatory marriage laws in Norway is gaining momentum. In 2008, a new marriage law, in which same-sex relationships will be granted the right to marry, will be discussed and voted over in the Norwegian Parliament. It is far from certain, however, that a majority will vote in favour of the Bill. (29-MAY-07)
Based on the website of the campaign, www.sija.no, this article has been written by HRH F / Niels Jacob Harbitz.
The campaign, sponsored by ´All Different, All Equal,´ ´Skeiv Ungdom´ (´Queer Youth´) and ´Landsforeningen for Lesbisk og Homofil Frigjøring´ (LLH, ´the Norwegian National Association of Lesbian and Gay Liberation´), considers it obvious that in Norway, in 2007, two adults loving each other should be able to get married and that sexual orientation should not be an issue in this regard. With marriage rights follow also the right to be considered as suitable parents to adopt children. Furthermore, lesbian couples must also have the same right as heterosexual couples to medically assisted conception.
All different – All Equal
Children of same-sex parents must have the same legal rights as children of heterosexual couples. These children must also have two legal parents right from birth, and their parents must must have the same rights to ´maternity´ and other child-related leaves as heterosexual parents. The campaign further associates itself with the international All Different All Equal-campaign, to be found at www.alldifferent-allequal.no.
All signatures to the Say Yes-campaign (www.sija.no), will be handed over to the President of the Norwegian Parliament on 1 September this year. A full set of copies of the lists of signatures will also be handed over to representatives of the Norwegian state church, in which there are strong voices against the proposed law, among them the Bishop of Oslo.
