In these days of disappointment over the Californian decision at least gay rights are on the march forward in Europe. Yesterday Swedish prime minister Fredrik Reinfeldt decided to ignore the protests of the Christian Democratic Party in his own center-right governing coalition, and will propose legislation that gives gay couples the right to marry. He has promised that gay couples will be able to marry before May 2009.
It may seem strange that Sweden, considered to be perhaps the most progressive country in the world, is after catholic Spain in legalizing gay marriage. The reason is that Sweden has had "partnership rights" since the early 90s and when pressure for full rights increased a couple of years ago the CDP was the only party against, but had influence as part of the governing center-right alliance. No more, apparently. Gay marriage is becoming a reality in Sweden.