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Society

Swedish lesbians more likely to wed than gay men

Published: 21 Jul 09 08:20 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/20802/20090721/

More female than male same-sex couples have chosen to marry since Swedish homosexuals were granted the legal right to marry on May 1st, 2009.

Thirty-seven female couples have tied the knot since May, compared to 11 male couples, according to figures from Statistics Sweden (SCB).

In addition, the number of children of same-sex couples registered as under Sweden's domestic partnership law has increased tenfold over the last decade.

At the end of the 1990s, fewer than 70 children lived with parents who were registered domestic partners. In 2008, 749 children lived with same-sex couples who were registered partners.

A large majority of these children have two mothers, with 706 living with female same-sex couples, compared to 43 who have two fathers.

“If you want to be crass, you can say that it's easier for female same-sex couples to have children,” Ulrika Westerlund, vice chairman of the the Swedish Federation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights (RFSL), told Svenska Dagbladet newspaper.

“Since 2002, same-sex couples have been allowed to adopt, but there hasn't been a single case that has been approved where it wasn't the adoption of a close relative.”

TT/The Local (news@thelocal.se/08 656 6518)

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09:02 July 21, 2009 by conboy
Orgy of lesbian wedding Shocka's reports Local!
10:57 July 21, 2009 by peropaco
Isnt it every little girl dream to get married and be swept away in to that illusionary life? Put two girls together and they dash like a wild horses to to say I do. Guys on the other hand only get married to please the other desperate person pointing the gun at their head and this could explain why gay men are not rushing to the altar.
11:53 July 21, 2009 by Eye_Witness
If same-sex marriage means living together forever and denying the natural role of opposite sex, then I am sorry to say, animals are far superior than us.
12:47 July 21, 2009 by Miss Kitten
^

If you honestly believe homosexual behavior is unnatural, then you'll probably find this article enlightening:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homosexual_behavior_in_animals
13:34 July 21, 2009 by peropaco
Eye_öWitness.

Times has changed a great heaps since you last checked. People are becoming humans, we now have interracial marriage, people who were consider minorities are now leading corporations and countries. So dont you reckon it is time we have an open mind regarding gay marriage? We should mind our own business and let people do whatever the hell the feel like doing so long if it doesnt affect your way of life.
14:24 July 21, 2009 by jeffi lost her first one
Frankly I cannot for the life of me see why gender/race/class etc makes a difference, as long as there are two consenting adults involved. And I cannot fathom why some holier-than-thou (and yes, I am a practising Christian) would take it upon themselves to decide that love, as it has been described in multiple Christian tomes, is a bad thing. Anti-Homophobic counselling that way, my darlings. Oh yes... I am firmly hetero too, just to stave off potential "takes one to know one" silliness.
15:27 July 21, 2009 by Greg in Canada
Canada legalized same sex marriage several years ago and the sky didn't fall down on us, but it is an interesting statistic that the divorce rate among gay couples is higher than heterosexual couples, the males especially. The divorce lawyers must be very happy $$$$.
15:35 July 21, 2009 by Kieruk
Who gets to pick the theme and decorations and colours and all that in a Lesbian wedding? In most straight weddings the girl has that power...
15:38 July 21, 2009 by Streja
I think any couple should decide themes etc together and if they can't then they should not get married at all.
15:43 July 21, 2009 by Kieruk
Streja, I am not saying that couples disagree, just that generally the guy doesn't really care that much about the cosmetics of the day, and is very happy to have it all decided for him.
16:15 July 21, 2009 by conboy
I get the feeling Streja on your wedding day the airports will be under surveillance, the Army will cancel all leave and a state of emergency will be declared.
16:48 July 21, 2009 by Inletwatcher
I smell something in the air. Its call Homophobia.
16:50 July 21, 2009 by Kieruk
Where do you smell that? As far as I can see only one post is even remotly homophobic.
17:02 July 21, 2009 by Inletwatcher
It just stinks so bad.

I need to remember my own thing I said about it takes more than one kind of lettuce to make a good salad. I will go tramp about in the woods for more of the golden glories I found earlier today. Or chew on my nic patch.
17:26 July 21, 2009 by Paulo +fab muscular than Jonnhy
So two months are reasonably enough to compile any substantial statistical data to have a reliable report on a human & social behavioural issue like that?
22:44 July 21, 2009 by I Love it when ...
cooool good for them

hope their happy and all, i kinda don't care cause its none of my business
00:31 July 22, 2009 by RichardG
Im sure there are those amongst us who felt the same as me after reading the entire thread title. When I saw the first couple of words "Swedish lesbians..." I nearly broke my mouse button as I clicked on it. What a let down I tell you, not even one single photo!
13:32 July 22, 2009 by Streja
Which ones do you like then, the butch ones? I don't think they're interested in men.

My wedding? I'm not getting married and why would the airports be closed?
13:37 July 22, 2009 by Renfeh Hguh
I'm sure if you google "Swedish lesbians" you'll be reaching for the tissues
16:56 July 22, 2009 by RichardG
Its at the very top of my favourites list
15:21 July 23, 2009 by Nemesis
It is obvious from reading the comments and the story that most of you have not even met a lesbian before. They are lesbian, they got married, so what.

I was at a lesbian marriage a while back. It was really good fun. The kids enoyed themselves. The music was better. Both families enjoyed themselves. Both are caring parents.

As long as someone is a consenting adult, who cares what sex they marry. Tell you what, take a lesbian for a coffee and a chat. You will find out they are human, just like everyone else.
15:27 July 23, 2009 by conboy
I have two friends who are a lesbian couple with a small child they make better parents then a lot of hetrosexual parents I know - I agree with the sentiment of your post!
15:34 July 23, 2009 by Kieruk
Sentiment of the Nemesis post is good...but not really sure anyone was suggesting in any way that gay couples are not human...

Maybe I just read peoples posts with less judgemental glasses on..
18:21 July 23, 2009 by Renfeh Hguh
Not in the DVD's I've seen
19:59 July 23, 2009 by BillyB
There are only two ways it can go, more female or more male, there is no magnificent reason why its more women, its just that one of them will obviously be more than the other.

Doesnt mean anything either way, its a pointless statistic (but then arent they all)
20:18 July 23, 2009 by Renfeh Hguh
82% of all statistics are pointless, including this statistic
20:30 July 23, 2009 by Mzungu
Huff,sums it up precisely!

(attached image not shown)
23:39 July 23, 2009 by Rebel
Now the last wall that has to come down is polygamy. If for no other reason than situations where a man could marry two bisexuals and everyone would be satisfied in all areas.
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