The vote to defeat the draft bill that would have legalized gay marriage by the legal committee of parliament sets not only a dangerous precedent but reveals Finland’s ever-hardened stance not only against gays, but against all minorities.
If there were a Hall of Shame for MPs, its members would consist of those who voted against the gay-marriage bill: Anne Holmlund, Markku Mäntymaa, Kari Tolvanen of the National Coalition Party; James Hirvisaari, Arja Juvonen, Kaj Turunen of the Perussuomalaiset party (PS); Arto Pirttilahti, Ari Torniainen of the Center Party; and Peter Östman of the Christian Democratic Party.
Other likely infamous “candidates” would be PS MP Jussi Halla-aho, Juho Eerola and a long list of others.
A vote in favor of gay rights would have been a vote for greater rights and acceptance of all minorities in Finland.
Why is Finland still the only Nordic country that hasn’t legalized gay
marriage? Is it because the third-largest party of parliament is the
anti-immigration PS?
Or has the PS strengthened, reinforced and emboldened the intolerant stand of MPs from other parties?
Wednesday, February 27, was a shameful day in Finland revealing that we have a long way to go to make our country a more tolerant place for everyone.
The law will anyway be on vote in parliament in 2 years and it has very good chance to pass. I think it’s mainly KD and PS who will oppose it, but I have to say I was a bit surprised to see members or Kokoomus voting against.
BAsed on the activity and views of the Finnish people it is far away from certain that the initiative will reach the parliament.
Legalising cannabis seems more interesting for Finns than anything else.