Today, same-sex couples in Switzerland are disadvantaged in various areas of life. The new federal law on registered partnerships for same-sex couples improves the legal status of these couples without equating registered partnerships with marriage.

The new law allows same-sex couples to register their partnership with the civil registry office and thus secure it legally. Registered partnership establishes a life partnership with mutual rights and obligations. For example, when it comes to taxes and inheritance, social security, and occupational pensions, it is treated the same as marriage under the law.

However, the Partnership Act does not allow two women or two men to adopt a child together. They are also denied access to reproductive medicine procedures. This means that they cannot start a family in the strict sense of the word.

A referendum has been launched against the law. The opposing committee sees it as a threat to marriage and the family. They also argue that the law is unnecessary, as the current legislation already allows same-sex couples to regulate their relationship sufficiently.

The proposal was accepted.

Voter turnout: 56.5%
Yes votes: 58.0%