According to an Associated Press article yesterday, the Albanian government has proposed a law that would legalize same-sex marriages. From the AP:
Albania's governing Democrats have proposed a law allowing same-sex civil weddings in the small, predominantly Muslim country.
An announcement on the government Web site Thursday said the bill "may spark debate" but was needed to stop discrimination against gay couples. Current law only recognizes heterosexual marriages.
Prime Minister Sali Berisha said the move followed requests from rights groups. His Democrats, who control 74 of parliament's 140 seats, are expected to easily pass the law.
Sure, the move may have a great deal to do with Albania's desire to join the EU. Sure, the law may shock and appall the rather conservative and traditionally majority Muslim people of Albania. But when it comes to civil rights, doing the right thing shouldn't really be left to popular vote. (Civil rights legislation for African Americans would have never survived a popular vote in the U.S.) If Albania of all places can see the value of protecting the civil liberties of its people, you'd think the rest of the civilized world could follow suit.
Uh Americans, I think it might be your turn...
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