SLOVENIA: Legislature Rejects Bid For Referendum To Repeal Same-Sex Marriage

The Slovene National Assembly today approved a bill that bans the proposed referendum on repealing same-sex marriage. Today's action cites the 2013 constitutional amendment that forbids popular votes on human rights issues. Anti-gay factions are now expected to appeal to the Slovene Constitutional Court with the claim that marriage is not a human right. Early this month Slovenia became the 12th European nation to legalize same-sex marriage. (Via JMG reader Robin)

SLOVENIA: Haters To Begin Petition Drive To Force Repeal Vote On Marriage

Anti-gay factions in Slovenia are about to begin collecting signatures to force a referendum on repealing same-sex marriage.

President of the National Assembly Milan Brglez announced that the collection of signatures for referendum on amendment of the Bill on Marriage Union and Family Relations will start on March 23, and end on April 26. Request to call a referendum can be filed by at least 40,000 voters no later than within seven days from the expiry of the time limit for collection of signatures. If the request is filed, a referendum must be called by the National Assembly. The members of parliament can demand a constitutional court opinion when they believe that a stay of implementation of an amendment, or rejection of an amendment might cause unconstitutional consequences.

Two years ago the Slovene constitution was amended to ban any referendums on human rights. The ultimate outcome could depend on whether Slovenia's Constitutional Court rules that marriage is a human right, as it was declared to be last week by the European Union Parliament.

SLOVENIA: Same-Sex Marriage Survives Veto Attempt In National Council

Good news, but this also happened today:

Opponents of same-sex marriage in Slovenia on Tuesday filed a referendum initiative with parliament that seeks to overturn the country‘s week-old law legalizing the unions, the STA news agency reported. Organizers have collected more than 80,000 signatures since March 3, when parliament passed an amendment redefining marriage as a union between two adults instead of a "man and a woman." The law requires 2,500 signatures for a referendum initiative to be filed with the parliament, which then decides on whether it can move forward. If it does, at least a 20 per cent turnout among the 1.7 million registered voters is required for the result to be validated. Slovenia‘s gays and lesbians have been allowed to register same-sex unions since 2006. But without the legal recognition of marriage, gay couples have been unable to adopt children. Opposition to gay adoption has been the centrepiece of the referendum campaign.

Stand by the usual US-based haters to pour support into the repeal campaign.

SLOVENIA: National Council Might Force Another Vote On Marriage Equality

Last week the Slovene Parliament voted 51-28 to approve same-sex marriage. Anti-gay groups have already filed for a national referendum, but it turns out there is a more immediate threat from Slovenia's National Council, which Wikipedia defines this way:

The National Council is according to the Constitution of Slovenia the representative of social, economic, professional and local interest groups in Slovenia and has a legislative function working as a corrective mechanism of the National Assembly, although it does not itself pass acts. It may be regarded as the upper house, but the bicameralism is distinctively incomplete.The council has 40 members: 22 representatives of local interests, six representatives of non-commercial activities, four representatives of employers, four of employees and four representatives of farmers, crafts, trades and independent professionals. It is not elected directly by the population, but meant to represent different interest groups in the country. The councilors are elected for a five-year term.

It appears that the National Council can only force the Parliament to take another vote. Slovenes, please weigh in.

SLOVENIA: Haters Vow Referendum To Repeal Marriage Law, Success Unlikely

Yesterday Slovenia became the 12th European nation to legalize same-sex marriage and anti-gay groups are already plotting a public vote to repeal the new laws. Via Reuters:

Two center-right opposition parties and several civic groups fiercely opposed the changes, particularly giving same-sex couples the right to adopt children. The Civil Initiative for Family and Children's Rights, which opposes the changes, said on Wednesday it would push for a referendum on the law, which is similar to one rejected by Slovenians in a popular vote in 2012. It is unlikely to succeed because Slovenia changed its referendum legislation in 2013 and no longer allows plebiscites on human rights issues. A number of other European Union member countries have already recognized same-sex marriage, including Britain, France and Spain, although it remains a contentious issue in more socially conservative eastern states. Croatia, which like Slovenia was part of former Yugoslavia, rejected same-sex marriage in a referendum in late 2013 and bans gay couples from adopting children, although they can register their partnerships.

Slovenia Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage

By a vote of 51-28 the Slovene Parliament has just amended that country's Marriage & Family Relations Act to legalize same-sex marriage, becoming the 12th European nation to do so. All but Iceland and Norway are members of the European Union. How do you like them apples, World Congress of Families? I'm being told by a Slovene JMG reader that the "evil hounds of hell" are already calling for a referendum to repeal today's action. A poll issued last month showed that 59% of Slovenes support same-sex marriage.

SLOVENIA: Marriage Bill Advances

Via RTV Slovenia:

The Committee of the National Assembly voted 11-2 on an amendment to the law on marriage and family relations, which changes the definition of marriage. Will same-sex partnership be seen as equal to a marriage between a man and a woman? The debate lasted for several hours in the parliamentary committee for Labour, Family, Social Affairs and the Disabled. Members discussed the amendment of the Law on Marriage and Family Relations. The amendment was proposed by the opposition party, United Left, which says that marriage applies to two people - regardless of gender.

More from Pink News:

“This is an infinitely practical suggestion; it proposes treating all couples with dignity and respect. Such a move would signal that Slovenia values its same-sex couples just as much as its heterosexual citizens; based on basic equality principles and common sense” said Evelyne Paradis, ILGA-Europe’s Executive Director. A new Family Code which extended rights and protections currently enjoyed by married heterosexual couples to same-sex unions in Slovenia was previously approved by the parliament in 2011. However, that law was rejected by a narrow margin in a referendum held the following year.

(Tipped by JMG reader Andrea)

Eurovision: Slovenia's Hannah Mancini

Slovenia's Eurovision entry for this year is a pretty standard club anthem, but at least she's singing live here. I think.  Hannah Mancini is American, but lives in Slovenia.  The rules regarding such things are pretty loose. For example, Celine Dion competed for Switzerland in 1988.