Croatia Plans Anti-Gay Marriage Referendum For December 1

A Surprise Setback For Gay Rights In The Balkans

Croatian lawmakers voted on Friday to hold a referendum on December 1 that would rule out same-sex marriage in the Roman Catholic country, despite strong objections from gay rights activists.

The referendum on whether to amend the country's constitution to define marriage as a "union between a woman and a man" was called after 700,000 people signed a petition launched by a conservative group seeking such a nation-wide vote.

A total of 104 MPs in the 151-seat assembly backed holding of the referendum compared with 13 who voted against. The others were absent or abstained.

Copyright (2013) AFP. All rights reserved.

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