Finland has become the 12th European state to legalise marriage for same-sex couples

Finland has approved same-sex marriage in a narrow parliament victory of 105 to 92, an initiative first introduced by Finnish citizens.

Registered partnerships have been available to enter into by same-sex couples since 2002, but the new law will end the distinction in Finland between same-sex unions and heterosexual marriages and give such couples equal rights to adopt children and share a surname.

Finland has become the last Nordic state to legalise gay marriage.

Centre-right prime minister, Alexander Stubb, said in an open letter before the vote: “Finland should strive to become a society where discrimination does not exist, human rights are respected and two adults can marry regardless of their sexual orientation.”

Most opponents argued that all children should have the right to a father and mother. “This is a question of the future of our children and the whole society, and such changes should not be made without thorough evaluation of their impact,” Mika Niikko of the nationalist Finns party said before the vote.

Congratulations Finland!