Same-sex marriage in the Faroe Islands
{{short description|none}}
{{SSM|marriage}}
Same-sex marriage has been legal in the Faroe Islands since 1 July 2017. Legislation allowing same-sex marriage and adoption by same-sex couples was approved by the Løgting on 29 April 2016. The Danish Parliament approved the necessary legislative adaptations on 25 April 2017, and the law received royal assent on 3 May and went into effect on 1 July 2017.
The Faroe Islands, an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, was the last Nordic region to introduce same-sex marriage.
Registered partnerships
Unlike Denmark and Greenland, the Faroe Islands never adopted registered partnerships ({{langx|fo|skrásett parlag}},{{cite web|url=https://www.in.fo/news-detail/skrasett-parlag-skal-millum-annad-godskustempla-foeroyar-til-eitt-tidarhoskandi-samfelag|title=Skrásett parlag skal, millum annað, góðskustempla Føroyar til eitt tíðarhóskandi samfelag|language=fo|work=In.fo|first=Karlot|last=Hergeirsson|date=17 August 2015}} {{IPA|fo|ˈskɹɔaːsɛtː ˈpʰaɻɭɛaː|pron}}; {{langx|da|registreret partnerskab}}, {{IPA|da|ʁekiˈstʁeˀð̩ ˈpʰɑːtnɐˌskɛˀp|pron}}) which would have offered same-sex couples some of the rights, benefits and responsibilities of marriage.
In 1989, Denmark became the first country in the world to enact registered partnerships. However, the law did not apply to the Faroe Islands. In 2011, the Danish Ministry of Justice stated that it could not determine whether partnerships performed in Denmark or Greenland would be legally recognized in the Faroe Islands, noting that the issue was "ultimately a matter for the courts".{{cite web|url=https://www.ft.dk/samling/20121/almdel/F%C3%86U/bilag/22/1278128/index.htm|title=Færøernes forhold til dansk lovgivning om registrerede partnere/ægtefæller af samme køn|date=3 September 2013|work=LGBT Danmark|language=da}}
Same-sex marriage
{{Same-sex marriage map Europe|align=left}}
=Failed attempts in 2013–2014=
Same-sex marriage legislation first appeared in the Løgting after the Tórshavn gay pride parade in 2012. A set of bills to extend Denmark's same-sex marriage law to the Faroe Islands was submitted to the Løgting on 20 November 2013. If approved, they would have entered into force on 1 April 2014.{{in lang|fo}}[http://www.logting.fo/casenormal/view.gebs?menuChanged=16&type=0&caseNormal.id=2312 51/2013 Uppskot til ríkislógartilmæli um at seta í gildi fyri Føroyar partar av broytingum í hjúnabandslógini og rættarvirknaðarlógini við tilhoyrandi skjølum]{{in lang|fo}} [http://www.logting.fo/casenormal/view.gebs?menuChanged=16&type=0&caseNormal.id=2313 52/2013 Uppskot til ríkislógartilmæli um broyting í rættargangslógini fyri Føroyar]{{in lang|fo}} [http://www.logting.fo/casenormal/view.gebs?menuChanged=16&type=0&caseNormal.id=2314 53/2013 Uppskot til ríkislógartilmæli um broyting í “Anordning om ikrafttræden for Færøerne af lov om ægteskabs indgåelse og opløsning”] Opposition to the bills from parties in the governing coalition crippled their progress, and the bills were rejected at the second reading on 13 March 2014,{{in lang|da}} [http://www.dr.dk/Nyheder/Indland/2014/03/10/110115.htm Færøerne klar til homovielser – og så ikke alligevel] despite strong public support.[http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2014/03/18/faroe-islands-equal-marriage-bill-voted/ Faroe Islands: Equal marriage bill voted down]{{in lang|fo}} [http://www.logting.fo//files/sound/votes/2013/51/2/vote_2014-51-2_03132014-131643.html Løgtingssetan 2013 Mál: 51 Viðgerð: 2]{{in lang|fo}} [http://www.logting.fo//files/sound/votes/2013/52/2/vote_2014-52-2_03132014-131731.html Løgtingssetan 2013 Mál: 52 Viðgerð: 2]{{in lang|fo}} [http://www.logting.fo//files/sound/votes/2013/53/2/vote_2014-53-2_03132014-131819.html Løgtingssetan 2013 Mál: 53 Viðgerð: 2]
Same-sex marriage became a significant issue in the September 2015 elections.[http://www.thelocal.dk/20150901/gay-marriage-in-focus-as-faroe-islands-votes Gay marriage in focus as Faroe Islands votes]
=Introduction of legislation in 2016=
Following the September 2015 election, MPs Sonja Jógvansdóttir, Bjørt Samuelsen, Kristianna Winther Poulsen and Hanna Jensen submitted a same-sex marriage bill to the Parliament Secretariat.[http://kvf.fo/greinar/2015/09/24/uppskot-broyta-hjunabandslogina-latid-tinginum#.VgRuDNJVikp Uppskot at broyta hjúnabandslógina latið tinginum] The proposal, along with a bill permitting same-sex divorce, entered the Løgting on 17 November 2015. If approved, the law would be scheduled to go into effect on 1 July 2016. A first reading took place on 24 November 2015.{{in lang|fo}} [http://www.logting.fo/casenormal/view.gebs?menuChanged=16&type=0&caseNormal.id=2603 19/2015 Uppskot til rikislógartilmæli um at seta í gildi fyri Føroyar partar av broytingum í hjúnabandslógini og rættarvirknaðarlógini] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181002180440/http://www.logting.fo/casenormal/view.gebs?menuChanged=16&type=0&caseNormal.id=2603 |date=2018-10-02 }}{{in lang|fo}} [http://www.logting.fo/chambermeeting/list.gebs?menuChanged=13 Dagsskráin 2015 – Týsdagur, 24. November 2015, kl. 10:00] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181105134224/http://www.logting.fo/chambermeeting/list.gebs?menuChanged=13 |date=2018-11-05 }} Though a majority of the committee scrutinising the bill were in favour of same-sex marriage,{{cite web|url=http://kvf.fo/netvarp/sv/2016/02/26/20160226hjunabandslogintiladruvidgerd|title=Nú kemur álitið um hjúnabandslógina|last=Magnason|first=Svein|date=26 February 2016|publisher=Kringvarp Føroya|language=Faroese|accessdate=4 March 2016}} the second reading was postponed to the third week of March 2016.{{cite web|url=http://www.in.fo/news-detail/news/malid-um-samkynd-ikki-klart-enn/|title=Málið um samkynd ikki klárt enn|last=Gregersen|first=Árni|date=9 March 2016|publisher=in.fo|language=Faroese|accessdate=11 March 2016}} On 14 March 2016, the Welfare Committee presented their recommendation to the Løgting. Despite divisions, a majority of committee members, including Katrin Kallsberg, Sonja Jógvansdóttir, Óluva Klettskarð and Djóni N. Joensen, recommended that the Parliament pass the bill. The minority members of the committee, Kaj Leo Johannesen, Jenis av Rana and Jógvan á Lakjuni, recommended that the bill be rejected.{{cite web|url=http://logting.fo/files/casestate/15623/019.15%20Alit%2019.2015%20endaligt.pdf|title=Álit í løgtingsmáli nr. 19/2015: Uppskot til ríkislógartilmæli um at seta í gildi fyri Føroyar partar av broytingum í hjúnabandslógini og rættarvirknaðarlógini|date=14 March 2016|publisher=Logting.fo|language=Faroese|accessdate=15 March 2016|archive-date=28 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200328180210/http://logting.fo/files/casestate/15623/019.15%20Alit%2019.2015%20endaligt.pdf|url-status=dead}}
The second reading was held on 16 March 2016.{{cite web|url=http://kvf.fo/greinar/2016/03/15/lagnan-hja-hjunabandslogini-avgjord-mikudagin|title=Lagnan hjá hjúnabandslógini avgjørd mikudagin|last=Gaard|first=Heini|date=15 March 2016|publisher=Kringvarp Føroya|language=Faroese|accessdate=15 March 2016}} There was no majority in favor of the proposal, as two members of the governing coalition, Kristin Michelsen and Heðin Mortensen of the Social Democratic Party, stated they would not support it at that stage and suggested that the bill be sent back to the Welfare Committee for amendments. They, along with several other members of the Løgting, expressed concerns that the legislation would mandate a right to same-sex marriage in the Church of the Faroe Islands. Following a short break, the Løgting voted to return the bill to the committee by a vote of 26–2 with 5 abstentions.{{cite web|url=http://kvf.fo/greinar/2016/03/16/hjunabandslogin-aftur-i-trivnadarnevndina|title=Hjúnabandslógin aftur í Trivnaðarnevndina|last=Johannesen|first=Johnsigurd|date=16 March 2016|publisher=in.fo|language=Faroese|accessdate=16 March 2016}}{{cite web|url=https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/udland/faeroesk-lagting-koeber-sig-tid-stemmer-homovielser-tilbage-i-udvalg|title=Færøsk lagting køber sig tid – stemmer homovielser tilbage i udvalg|last1=Bjerregaard |first1=Morten|last2=Christiansen|first2=Michael Ørtz|date=16 March 2016|work=DR|language=Danish |accessdate=17 March 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.in.fo/news-detail/news/setur-sitt-alit-a-sambandsflokkin/|title=Setur sítt álit á Sambandsflokkin|last=Rana|first=Danjal av|date=16 March 2016|publisher=in.fo|language=Faroese|accessdate=16 March 2016}} During the debate, several conservative members who had previously voiced opposition to same-sex partnerships stated they would now support legalizing registered partnerships for same-sex couples.
Some members of the Løgting raised concerns about section 14.2 of the Danish Marriage Act ({{langx|fo|Hjúnabandslóg}}, {{IPA|fo|ˈtʃʰʉuːnapantsˌlɔuːw|pron}}; {{langx|da|Ægteskabsloven}}, {{IPA|da|ˈektəskɛpsˌlɒwˀn̩|pron}}) which stated that couples who had entered into a civil marriage could have their marriage blessed by the state church.{{cite web|url=http://kvf.fo/greinar/2016/03/28/hjunarbandslogin-ur-nevnd-adrenn-summarferiuna#.Vxyi4fkrLIU|title=Hjúnabandslógin úr nevnd áðrenn summarferiuna|last=Løwe|first=Beinta|date=28 March 2016|publisher=Kringvarp Føroya|language=Faroese|accessdate=24 April 2016}} In response to these concerns, the Welfare Committee proposed an amendment stipulating that the new marriage law in the Faroe Islands would not be implemented by the Løgting until section 14.2 had been either deleted or rephrased.
=Passage in the Løgting in 2016=
The bill returned to the Løgting in its amended form for a second reading on 26 April 2016.[http://portal.fo/hjunabandslogin+til+vidgerdar+aftur+tysdagin.html Hjúnabandslógin til viðgerðar aftur týsdagin] Debate began at 11 a.m. and continued well past midnight on 27 April. During the debate, Mortensen introduced a proposal to hold a referendum on the issue, which precipitated a crisis within the coalition government.{{cite web|url=http://www.in.fo/news-detail/foeli-meg-hottan-av-samgonguni/|title=- Føli meg hóttan av samgonguni|last=Holm|first=Barbara|date=26 April 2016|publisher=in.fo|language=Faroese|accessdate=27 April 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://ting.fo/ting-detail/drama-i-loegtingnum-i-natt/|title=Drama í Løgtingnum í nátt|last=Gregersen|first=Árni|date=27 April 2016|publisher=Ting.fo|language=Faroese|accessdate=27 April 2016}} During a 90-minute recess, Mortensen held high-level talks with Prime Minister Aksel V. Johannesen and other members of the Løgting. He eventually withdrew his proposal, telling Kringvarp Føroya that he would not risk dividing, or even possibly dissolving, the coalition government.{{cite web|url=http://kvf.fo/netvarp/sv/2016/04/27/logting02|title="Eg ofraði meg sjálvan – eina løtu, í øllum førum"|last=Johannesen|first=Uni Holm|date=27 April 2016|publisher=Kringvarp Føroya|language=Faroese|accessdate=27 April 2016}}
A few minutes later, a vote was held on the second reading, resulting in 19 votes in favour and 14 against. Every Government MP, Independent MP Sonja Jógvansdóttir and two Opposition MPs (Magni Laksáfoss and Edmund Joensen of the Union Party) voted in favour.{{cite web|url=http://www.in.fo/news-detail/uppskot-um-at-samkynd-kunnu-giftast-samtykt/|title=Uppskot um at samkynd kunnu giftast samtykt|last=Gregersen|first=Árni|date=27 April 2016|publisher=in.fo|language=Faroese|accessdate=27 April 2016}}{{cite web|url=https://euobserver.com/tickers/133238|title=Faroe Islands approves same-sex unions|work=EUobserver|date=28 April 2016|accessdate=28 April 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://cphpost.dk/news/faroe-islands-on-the-cusp-of-same-sex-marriage.html|title=Faroe Islands on the cusp of same-sex marriage|work=The Copenhagen Post|first=Christian|last=W|date=28 April 2016|accessdate=29 April 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160428151414/http://cphpost.dk/news/faroe-islands-on-the-cusp-of-same-sex-marriage.html|archivedate=28 April 2016}} The bill was approved in its third and final reading on 29 April, again by a 19–14 vote.{{cite web|url=http://local.fo/faroe-islands-legalises-same-sex-marriage/|title=Faroe Islands legalizes same-sex marriage|date=29 April 2016|publisher=Local.fo|accessdate=30 April 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160430164739/http://local.fo/faroe-islands-legalises-same-sex-marriage/|archivedate=30 April 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://sdgln.com/news/2016/04/29/faroe-islands-legalizes-same-sex-marriage|title=Faroe Islands legalizes same-sex marriage|work=San Diego Gay and Lesbian News|first=Timothy|last=Rawles|date=29 April 2016|accessdate=29 April 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160430110942/http://sdgln.com/news/2016/04/29/faroe-islands-legalizes-same-sex-marriage|archivedate=30 April 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://cphpost.dk/news/faroe-islands-says-yes-to-same-sex-marriage.html|title=Faroe Islands says yes to same-sex marriage|work=The Copenhagen Post|first=Shifa|last=Rahaman|date=1 May 2016|accessdate=2 May 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160502022015/http://cphpost.dk/news/faroe-islands-says-yes-to-same-sex-marriage.html|archivedate=2 May 2016}} At that point, a separate vote was held on a proposal to hold a referendum, but it was defeated in a 16–17 vote.{{cite web|url=http://ting.fo/ting-detail/atkvoett-um-folkaatkvoedu-og-hjunabandslogina/|title=Atkvøtt um fólkaatkvøðu og hjúnabandslógina|work=ting.fo|date=29 April 2016|accessdate=30 April 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160430165242/http://ting.fo/ting-detail/atkvoett-um-folkaatkvoedu-og-hjunabandslogina/|archivedate=30 April 2016}} Article 1 of the Marriage Act was amended to read as follows:
- in {{langx|da|Loven finder anvendelse på ægteskab mellem to personer af forskelligt køn og mellem to personer af samme køn.}}
- in {{langx|fo|Lógin er galdandi fyri hjúnalag millum tvey persónar av ymiskum kyni og millum tvey persónar av sama kyni.}}
:(The law applies to marriages between two persons of different sex and between two persons of the same sex.)
| class="wikitable"
|+29 April 2016 vote in the Løgting{{Cite web|url=http://www.logting.fo/files/sound/votes/2015/19/3/vote_2016-19-3_04292016-134342.html|title=Partar av broytingum í hjúnabandslógini og rættarvirknaðarlógini – Voting results (3rd Reading)|language=Faroese|date=29 April 2016|accessdate=12 December 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170507080136/http://www.logting.fo/files/sound/votes/2015/19/3/vote_2016-19-3_04292016-134342.html|archivedate=7 May 2017}} | |||
| Party | style="width:23%;"| Voted for | style="width:23%;"| Voted against | style="width:20%;"| Abstained |
|---|---|---|---|
| {{Color box|#FF0000|G|border=darkgray}} Social Democratic Party
| style="background-color:#CCFFCC;" |{{collapsible list |title= 7 |2= Bjarni Hammer |5= Heðin Mortensen |7= Kristianna Winther Poulsen }} | – | – | |||
| {{Color box|#C3CF00|G|border=darkgray}} Republic
| style="background-color:#CCFFCC;" |{{collapsible list |title= 7 |4= Katrin Kallsberg |5= Óluva Klettskarð |7= Bjørt Samuelsen }} | – | – | |||
| {{Color box|#008440|border=darkgray}} People's Party
| – | style="background-color:#FFAEB9;" |{{collapsible list |title= 6 |1= Jógvan á Lakjuni |2= Elsebeth Mercedis Gunnleygsdóttur |3= Jákup Mikkelsen |4= Jørgen Niclasen |5= Annika Olsen }} | – | |||
| {{Color box|#0C6889|border=darkgray}} Union Party
| {{collapsible list |title= 2 |1= Edmund Joensen |2= Magni Laksáfoss }} | style="background-color:#FFAEB9;" |{{collapsible list |title= 4 |2= Bjørn Kalsø |3= Bárður Nielsen |4= Magnus Rasmussen }} | – | |||
| {{Color box|#E2822B|G|border=darkgray}} Progress
| style="background-color:#CCFFCC;" |{{collapsible list |title= 2 |1= Hanna Jensen |2= Ruth Vang }} | – | – | |||
| {{Color box|#4B5AA6|border=darkgray}} Centre Party
| – | style="background-color:#FFAEB9;" |{{collapsible list |title= 2 |1= Jenis av Rana |2= Bill Justinussen }} | – | |||
| {{Color box|#B55897|border=darkgray}} Self-Government Party
| – | style="background-color:#FFAEB9;" |{{collapsible list |title= 2 |1= Kári P. Højgaard }} | – | |||
| {{color box|{{party color|Independent}}|border=silver}} Independent
| style="background-color:#CCFFCC;" |{{collapsible list |title= 1 }} | – | – | |||
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2" | Total | {{Yes|19|align=center}} | style="text-align:center;" | 14 | style="text-align:center;" | 0 |
| style="text-align:center;" | {{percentage|19|33|1}}
| style="text-align:center;" | {{percentage|14|33|1}} | style="text-align:center;" | {{percentage|0|33|1|pad=yes}} |
=Additional legislation and commencement=
The Faroese bill required amendments to Danish marriage law to be enacted by the Danish Parliament. A bill to this effect was introduced to the Danish Parliament on 8 February 2017,{{cite web|url=http://www.ft.dk/samling/20161/lovforslag/L129/index.htm|title=L 129 Forslag til lov om ændring af lov for Færøerne om rettens pleje|publisher=Folketing|date=8 February 2017|language=Danish|accessdate=5 March 2017|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20170507091032/http://www.ft.dk/samling/20161/lovforslag/L129/index.htm|archivedate=7 May 2017}}{{cite web|title=Danir fara at eftirlíka ynskinum úr Føroyum|url=http://www.in.fo/news-detail/danir-fara-at-eftirlika-ynskinum-ur-foeroyum/|website=in.fo|accessdate=24 May 2016|language=Faroese|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20170507090150/http://www.in.fo/news-detail/danir-fara-at-eftirlika-ynskinum-ur-foeroyum/|archivedate=7 May 2017|url-status=dead}} and had its first reading on 28 February 2017.{{cite web|url=http://sermitsiaq.ag/vejen-banes-homoseksuelle-vielser-faeroeerne|title=Vejen banes for homoseksuelle vielser på Færøerne|work=Sermitsiaq.AG|first=Kaj|last=Joensen|language=Danish|date=28 February 2017|accessdate=5 March 2017|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170302161851/http://sermitsiaq.ag/vejen-banes-homoseksuelle-vielser-faeroeerne|archivedate=2 March 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://knr.gl/da/nyheder/udsigt-til-homoseksuelle-vielser-p%C3%A5-f%C3%A6r%C3%B8erne|title=Udsigt til homoseksuelle vielser på Færøerne|work=Kalaallit Nunaata Radioa|first=Helle|last=Nørrelund Sørensen|language=Danish|date=1 March 2017|accessdate=5 March 2017|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170305031504/http://knr.gl/da/nyheder/udsigt-til-homoseksuelle-vielser-p%C3%A5-f%C3%A6r%C3%B8erne|archivedate=5 March 2017}} The relevant parliamentary committee approved the bill on 4 April, and the second reading was held on 20 April 2017.{{Cite web|url=http://www.ft.dk/samling/20161/lovforslag/l129/betaenkning.htm|title=L 129 – Betænkning afgivet af Færøudvalget den 4. april 2017|publisher=Folketing|language=Danish|accessdate=26 April 2017|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20170507085731/http://www.ft.dk/samling/20161/lovforslag/l129/betaenkning.htm|archivedate=7 May 2017|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.ft.dk/samling/20161/lovforslag/L129/BEH2-83/forhandling.htm|title=L 129 – 2. behandling|publisher=Folketing|language=Danish|accessdate=26 April 2017|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20170507085925/http://www.ft.dk/samling/20161/lovforslag/L129/BEH2-83/forhandling.htm|archivedate=7 May 2017|url-status=dead}} The bill passed its third and final reading on 25 April 2017 by a vote of 108–0 with 71 abstentions.{{Cite web|url=http://www.ft.dk/samling/20161/lovforslag/l129/85/270/afstemning.htm|title=L 129 – Afstemning|publisher=Folketing|language=Danish|accessdate=26 April 2017|archivedate=7 May 2017|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20170507085147/http://www.ft.dk/samling/20161/lovforslag/l129/85/270/afstemning.htm|url-status=dead}} It received royal assent by Queen Margrethe II on 3 May 2017.{{Cite web|url=https://www.lovtidende.dk/pdf.aspx?id=188876|title=Lov om ændring af lov for Færøerne om rettens pleje (International kompetence i ægteskabssager)|publisher=Government of Denmark|language=Danish|accessdate=5 May 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://theperchybird.wordpress.com/2017/05/10/faroes-islands-same-sex-marriage-bill-receives-royal-assent/|title=Faroe Islands' Same-sex Marriage Bill Receives Royal Assent|date=10 May 2017|work=The Perchy Bird Blog}} On 30 May 2017, the Løgting passed legislation exempting the Church of the Faroe Islands from the obligation to bless same-sex marriages by a vote of 18–14 with no abstentions.{{Cite web|url=http://www.logting.fo/chamberreport/view.gebs?menuChanged=21&report.id=5281&meeting.id=5766|title=Gerðabók|publisher=Løgting|language=Faroese|accessdate=2 June 2017|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170603032606/http://www.logting.fo/chamberreport/view.gebs?menuChanged=21&report.id=5281&meeting.id=5766|archivedate=3 June 2017}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.logir.fo/Logtingslog/90-fra-06-06-2017-um-broyting-i-anordning-om-ikrafttraeden-for-Faeroerne-af-lov-om|title=Løgtingslóg um broyting í anordning om ikrafttræden for Færøerne af lov om ægteskabs indgåelse og opløsning (Act of the Løgting amending the Order on the Entry into Force in the Faroe Islands of the Marriage (Celebration and Dissolution) Act)}}{{cite web|url=http://lgbt.fo/?p=2846|title=Faroe Islands becomes 23rd country in the world to legalise gay marriage|date=30 May 2017|work=LGBT Føroya|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170609044709/http://lgbt.fo/?p=2846|archivedate=9 June 2017}} Subsequently, a Danish royal decree—formally required to give effect to the Løgting's initial decision of 29 April 2016—was issued on 12 June 2017 and published on 16 June.{{Cite web|url=http://www.kunngerdaportalur.fo/_vti_bin/api.svc/v1/document/f58f5af8-ab38-4340-917c-f02edf9b6baa|title=Anordning nr. 724 frá 12. juni 2017 om delvis ikrafttræden for Færøerne af lov om ægteskabs indgåelse og opløsning, lov om ægteskabets retsvirkninger og retsplejeloven og om ophævelse af lov om registreret partnerskab|publisher=Kunngerðablað B|language=Danish|accessdate=12 July 2017}} Same-sex marriages have been available since 1 July 2017, the date the law came into effect.{{cite web|url=http://portal.fo/nu+kunnu+samkynd+giftast.html|title=1. juli 2017: Nú kunnu samkynd giftast|date=1 July 2017|work=portal.fo|archivedate=2 July 2017|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170702004423/http://portal.fo/nu+kunnu+samkynd+giftast.html}}
The first same-sex wedding in the Faroe Islands was performed on 6 September 2017 at Tórshavn City Hall between British couple Leslie Travers and Richard McBride.{{cite web|url=http://www.dr.dk/nyheder/indland/foerste-homoseksuelle-par-gift-paa-faeroeerne|title=Første homoseksuelle par gift på Færøerne|work=DR|language=Danish|date=6 September 2017|accessdate=7 September 2017|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170907164259/http://www.dr.dk/nyheder/indland/foerste-homoseksuelle-par-gift-paa-faeroeerne|archivedate=7 September 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://cphpost.dk/news/faroe-islands-hosts-its-first-ever-same-sex-marriage.html|title=Faroe Islands hosts its first ever same-sex marriage|work=The Copenhagen Post|first=Christian|last=W.|date=7 September 2017|accessdate=7 September 2017|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170907165025/http://cphpost.dk/news/faroe-islands-hosts-its-first-ever-same-sex-marriage.html|archivedate=7 September 2017}}
=Equal parentage legislation=
In December 2021, the Løgting passed two bills by an 18–13 vote guaranteeing equal parentage rights to married same-sex couples, including on matters relating to parental leave.{{cite web|url= https://kvf.fo/greinar/2021/12/20/parliament-passes-bills-equal-parental-rights-same-sex-couples|title= Parliament passes same-sex bills|work=KVF|date=20 December 2021}} Prime Minister Bárður á Steig Nielsen supported the bills, stating that "all parents should have the right to financial support".{{cite web|url= https://kvf.fo/greinar/2020/09/25/government-torn-same-sex-couples-issue|title= Government torn on same-sex couples issue|date=25 September 2021|work=KVF}} The laws went into effect on 1 January 2022.{{cite web|url=https://www.logting.fo/mal/mal/?id=9751|title=LM-013/2021 : Uppskot til løgtingslóg um broyting í løgtingslóg um barsilsskipan (Barsilslógin) (Sammøður javnsettar við pápar)|work=Løgting|language=fo|accessdate=31 December 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.barsil.fo/fo/log/barsilslogin/|title=Barsilslógin|language=fo|work=Barsil.fo|accessdate=31 December 2022}}
=Marriages in the Church of the Faroe Islands=
Opposition from several members of the Løgting resulted in the Church of the Faroe Islands, the state church, being exempt from blessing or officiating at same-sex marriage ceremonies.
Public opinion
A May 2013 Gallup survey found that 68% of Faroese people supported same-sex marriage, 27% were against and 5% were undecided.[http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2013/05/08/poll-68-approve-of-equal-marriage-in-the-faroe-islands/ Poll: 68% approve of equal marriage in the Faroe Islands][http://www.vmf.fo/Default.aspx?ID=1835&PID=6966&NewsID=51480&Action=1 Large majority agrees with civil marriage for homosexuals]
Another poll conducted in May 2014 found that regional divisions significantly influenced attitudes towards same-sex marriage, despite overall results being consistent with previous surveys: 62% support, 28% opposition and 10% undecided. Support was lowest in Norðoyar and Eysturoy, at 42% and 48% respectively, and highest in Suðurstreymoy—which contains the capital Tórshavn—at 76%.[http://www.nordlysid.fo/nordoyingar+og+eysturoyingar+ikki+heilt+sannfordir+um+borgarliga+vigslu+av+samkyndum.html Norðoyingar og eysturoyingar ikki heilt sannførdir um borgarliga vígslu av samkyndum] According to a poll conducted in August 2014, 61% of respondents supported same-sex marriage, 32% were opposed and the remainder were undecided.[http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2014/08/08/faroe-islands-poll-61-support-same-sex-marriage/ Faroe Islands poll: 61% support same-sex marriage]
A poll conducted by Gallup Føroyar in April 2016—commissioned Kringvarp Føroya and {{lang|fo|Miðlahúsið}}—showed that 64% of respondents supported legalizing same-sex marriage. Support varied by age, with 79% of 18–24-year-olds in favour, compared to just 53% of those aged 60 and above.{{cite web|url=http://www.in.fo/news-detail/greidur-meiriluti-i-oellum-aldursbolkum-sigur-ja/|title=Greiður meiriluti í øllum aldursbólkum sigur »ja«|last=Lindenskov|first=Eirikur|date=21 April 2016|publisher=in.fo|language=Faroese|accessdate=24 April 2016}} The capital area, Suðurstreymoy, showed the highest level of support at 79%, while opposition was strongest in Norðoyar and Eysturoy, at 45% and 42% respectively. A majority of voters from most political parties supported same-sex marriage: 89% of Progress voters, 83% of Republic voters, 75% of Social Democratic voters and 62% of Self-Government Party voters. Half of Union Party and People's Party voters also expressed support. Centre Party voters were the only notable exception, with just 16% in favour and 84% opposed.{{cite web|url=http://kvf.fo/greinar/2016/04/21/kanning-64-prosent-fyri-broyta-hjunabandslog#.VxySzfkrLIV|title=Kanning: 64 prosent fyri at broyta hjúnabandslóg|last=Jógvansdóttir|first=Sára|date=21 April 2016|publisher=Kringvarp Føroya|language=Faroese|accessdate=24 April 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.in.fo/news-detail/samkynd-giftast-veljarar-hja-seks-flokkum-siga-ja/|title=Samkynd giftast: Veljarar hjá seks flokkum siga ja|last=Lindenskov|first=Eirikur|date=23 April 2016|publisher=in.fo|language=Faroese|accessdate=24 April 2016}}
A poll conducted in September 2019 found that 71% of Faroese people were against repealing the same-sex marriage law, 16% were in favour and 13% were undecided. Support for same-sex marriage varied significantly by political party:{{cite web|url=https://portal.fo/dagur-20906/spyrfo-71-prosent-vilja-vardveita-hjunabandslogina.grein|title=Spyr.fo: 71 prosent vilja varðveita hjúnabandslógina|date=7 September 2019|publisher=portal.fo|language=Faroese|accessdate=8 September 2019}} Republic voters (96% support and 3% opposition), Social Democrats (91% support and 3% opposition), Progress voters (77% support and 19% opposition), Union Party voters (67% support and 17% opposition), People's Party voters (46% support and 32% opposition), Self-Government voters (38% support and 36% opposition), and Centre Party voters (27% support and 52% opposition).
See also
References
{{reflist|30em}}
External links
{{Portal bar|Faroe Islands|LGBTQ}}
- {{cite web|url=https://www.retsinformation.dk/eli/lta/2017/724/Pdf|title=Anordning nr. 724 frá 12. juni 2017 om delvis ikrafttræden for Færøerne af lov om ægteskabs indgåelse og opløsning, lov om ægteskabets retsvirkninger og retsplejeloven og om ophævelse af lov om registreret partnerskab|work=Retsinformation.dk|language=da|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220521075424/https://www.retsinformation.dk/eli/lta/2017/724/Pdf|archive-date=21 May 2022|date=12 June 2017|trans-title=Ordinance no. 724 from 12 June 2017 on the partial entry into force for the Faroe Islands of the Marriage and Dissolution Act, the Legal Effects of Marriage Act and the Administration of Justice Act and on the repeal of the Registered Partnerships Act}}
{{LGBT in Nordic countries}}
{{Europe in topic|Same-sex marriage in}}
{{Status of same-sex unions}}
Category:LGBTQ rights in the Faroe Islands