Greenland Ushers in New Era Of Marriage Equality

If you needed proof that marriage equality is spreading to the far corners of the Earth, look no further than Greenland!  The country’s same-sex marriage law went into effect on April 1st.

Last year, the country unanimously passed a marriage bill,which is an adoption of Denmark’s matrimonial laws. After taking two years, the bill was finally approved after a series of starts and stops, like the stepping down of Greenland’s Prime Minister had put the bill on hold. The marriage bill was approved by the Greenlandic Parliament on a vote of 27-0. An autonomous Danish Territory, Greenland can now celebrate same-sex weddings with the approval of Greenland’s Bishop. The Bishop has welcomed the arrival of a gender neutral marriage law and the Church of Greenland “worked closely with the government to amend the portion of the Danish law that covered same-sex blessings in religious weddings. The joint adoption clause that was included in Greenland’s new Marriage Act will go into effect on July 1st,” according to Out.com.  Nivi Olsen, the Minister of the Church in Greenland, wrote on the Greenlandic Parliament’s website:

“We have long waited for this day. To have the opportunity to enter into marriage means a lot to many couples regardless of the gender of one’s partner. I am therefore pleased that a united Parliament adopted in 2010, finally made it a reality. The Government warmly welcomes this new opportunity and the national church rejoices that we are ready for the new era.”