Zurich voters give married rights to same-sex couples
ZURICH, Switzerland (AP) -- Voters in Switzerland's most populous state voted overwhelmingly Sunday to give same-sex pairs rights previously reserved for married couples.
In a joint statement, three Swiss gay rights groups said it was the first time in history that a referendum had been called on legal rights for homosexual couples.
By a 63-37 percent margin, the referendum in Zurich canton approved civil registration for gay and lesbian couples. They will have the same tax, inheritance and social security benefits as other married couples.
While a number of other European countries have already recognized same-sex unions, Zurich is the first Swiss canton to do so. Similar efforts are underway elsewhere in the country.
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