Switzerland seals gay marriage vote with a kiss

Switzerland has voted to allow same-sex couples to marry, bringing the Alpine nation into line with many others in western Europe through a referendum

Almost two-thirds of voters in Switzerland backed the same-sex marriage vote in a referendum.

Official results on Sunday afternoon local time showed the measure passed with 64.1 per of voters in favour and won a majority in all of Switzerland’s 26 states.

Switzerland’s parliament and the governing Federal Council displayed full support of the “Marriage for All” measure, and supporters are taking to the streets already to celebrate.

Campaigners have hailed the vote as a historic moment for LGBT rights in the country

Supporters say that the passage will now put same-sex couples on equal legal footing with heterosexual couples by allowing them to adopt children together while also facilitating citizenship for same-sex spouses.

The passage would also permit lesbian couples to use regulated sperm donation.

Opponents however, believe that replacing civil partnerships with full marriage rights would undermine families based on a union between one man and one woman.

Switzerland has authorised same-sex civil partnerships since 2007.

The news makes Switzerland the 30th country in the world to adopt same-sex marriage.