Switzerland: Run on marriage for everyone only in the cities

The civil registry office of the city of Zurich has had a lot to do since July 1: 250 same-sex couples have already reserved an appointment there to get married or to convert their registered partnership into a marriage.

For the first two couples, their wish to marry comes true on the first possible day. Roland Peterhans from Zurich's civil registry office says: "It really starts on July 1: we have two same-sex weddings, and above all, we have 24 conversions of partnerships into marriages." And in the cities of Basel, Bern and Winterthur, the rush is quite large.

Rush in the country is small

The situation is different in more rural areas: In the canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden, not a single same-sex couple has so far reported wanting to marry. In the canton of Nidwalden, there are at least six couples this month. July 1st does not trigger a large rush here.

According to the figures, the greatest interest is in couples wanting to convert their registered partnership into a real marriage because this also brings legal advantages: by going to the registry office, homosexual couples are given the right to adopt children together. Marriage also gives them access to facilitated naturalization. Sperm donation is also possible for lesbian couples.

Not just legal aspects

But feelings also played an important role, says Peterhans. That's why the Zurich civil registrar is happy to help same-sex couples ring the wedding bells: "I've had many wonderful, positive experiences with same-sex couples, who are all always very happy when they can do it."

Peterhans thinks that this day when marriage can finally be concluded should be a comparable highlight. Especially in Swiss cities, same-sex couples are likely to be found celebrating from Friday. It is also quite possible that homosexual couples will soon discover marriage in rural cantons.

“Marriage for everyone” also a question of timing

"July 1st is a day of great joy for me," says Alessandra Widmer, co-director of the Swiss lesbian organization. "We are truly celebrating 30 years of struggle and commitment to marriage for all."

In her opinion, it is not a contradiction that the big run on the registry offices is not taking place now. What happens to a large extent is that the couples who live in a registered partnership have them converted into a marriage. But marriage is also a matter of timing. "We only knew since last September that marriage is really coming for everyone and a little later that it will come into force in July."

Same-sex couples would also like to take the time to plan a beautiful wedding. In addition, there was some confusion at the registry offices. "Despite the clear instructions from the federal government, not everyone was aware that couples could even register before July 1st."