On Dec. 18, the Swiss parliament approved a bill allowing same-sex couples to marry, finally bringing the nation in line with much of Europe on LGBTQ rights, TheLocal.ch reported.
However, the Swiss residents themselves will have the final say on the matter as the Christian, ultra-conservative Federal Democratic Union party announced it will ask for the legislation to be put to a referendum. Public polls have shown that the most citizens favor marriage equality.
Switzerland is one of few European countries where same-sex marriage is not legal. Same-sex couples can enter into "registered partnerships," but this status does not provide the same rights as marriage, including obtaining citizenship and the joint adoption of children.
"This is a historic victory for the rights of the LGBTI* Community," Amnesty Switzerland tweeted.