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Equal rights

March 4, 2013

Gay couples are still struggling for equal rights. Several European countries have either legalized or have plans to legalize same-sex marriage. DW takes a look at the situation across the continent.

https://p.dw.com/p/17dVJ
Participants in the Pride Parade kiss as they march through central Stockholm, Sweden Saturday Aug. 4, 2012. (Photo:Scanpix Sweden/Erik Martensson/AP/dapd)
Image: dapd

There are just a handful of countries around the world that give equal rights to same-sex couples, and many of them are in Europe. The UK and France have recently passed equal marriage legislation through their parliaments - though these bills have caused considerable controversy and led to heated public debate. Meanwhile, Germany mulls strengthening equal rights for gay couples.

Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands, Spain and Portugal already allow gay marriage - though the situation further east in Europe is very different. Societies there are much less willing to recognize homosexuality, and gay couples sometimes fighting for basic human rights. DW looks at the issues facing same-sex couples across the continent.

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