Gay marriage

How much can a law change social attitudes? How much is a law a reflection of the public’s acceptance of homosexuality?

Technically, there is no law governing the marriage of gays; the law on civil marriage was just changed so that it did not discriminate between the sex of those concerned. Here in the Netherlands, even after five years of ‘opening’ Civil Marriage to same-sex couples, there are civil servants who refuse to register the civil marriage. And in recent years, the high level officials have been outspokenly critical of homosexuality—or at least not done anything to promote understanding and acceptance of homosexuals. While being a homosexual (lesbian, bi or transsexual) may not seem like a big problem in general, many still face difficulties in the workplace or at home.

Article on the same-sex unions in Canada, one year after it was legalised.

“The law, which is often said to be behind new social realities, remains a more rapid process than consciousness-raising and education.”