Couples wed as Swiss same-sex marriage law takes effect

By JAMEY KEATEN
Associated Press

GENEVA (AP) — Lesbian and gay couples can now legally tie the knot in Switzerland as the rich Alpine nation has joined many other western European countries allowing same-sex marriage. Friday’s first same-sex marriages came about nine months after 64.1% of voters backed the “Marriage for All” law in a national referendum. It puts same-sex partners on an equal legal footing with heterosexual couples, including allowing them to adopt children together and to sponsor a spouse for citizenship. Switzerland had authorized same-sex civil partnerships since 2007.