Humanity Hallows Issue 6 Out Now
Pick up your copy on campus or read online
By Hassan Irshad
Germany’s parliament has voted to legalise same-sex marriage, following a decision by Angela Merkel to allow a free vote on the issue, which she announced on June 26th.
Merkel, despite her reputation as an “increasingly influential liberal icon” as dubbed in an article by the Washington Post, voted against, placing herself among 226 lawmakers opposed to the legalisation of gay marriage. However, they were outnumbered by the 393 votes in favour.
The decision to allow a vote was the result of a “political ambush” by Merkel’s coalition allies – the Social Democrats, the Greens, Linke and Free Democrats – who “declared same-sex marriage law as a precondition for an alliance”, as reported by The Guardian. This was following her self-described “life changing experience”, where she had dined with a lesbian couple in her home constituency who cared for eight foster children together.
Despite the result’s clash with her personal views, which have “children’s welfare” as the basis of her opposition to same-sex marriage, Merkel has been optimistic, stating: “It was a long, intensive, and for many also emotional discussion, that goes for me personally too, and I’m hopeful not only that there will be respect for either side’s opinions, but that it will also bring about more peace and cohesion in society.”
Same-sex couples are expected to be able to marry by the end of the year.
Featured image and gallery: Jack Oliver After eight packed out performances across Europe Kaytranada arrives at Co-Op Live for his largest show on the European leg of his ‘Timeless Tour’. The 23,000 capacity venue is filled with excited fans who eagerly anticipate the start of the show after energetic performances from Pomo, Lou Phelps and…
Featured image: Olivia Taberner and Adomas Lukas Petrauskas From Arc’teryx raincoats to mud-clogged Salomons, we explore how outdoor garments have evolved from fashion trends to functional wear – bringing together communities of young men in the process. What began as a Patagonia jacket and a sunrise ambition soon turned into getting “battered at 3am by…
Featured image: Yas Lucia Mascarenhas and Adomas Lukas Petrauskas Manchester’s inner-city neighbourhood of Moss Side is often portrayed in the media as a dangerous area, plagued by knife crime and shootings. However, one resident and Manchester Met student – Baka Bah – believes this one-sided story doesn’t reflect the true spirit of his community. While…
Featured image: Molly Goble and Nicola Henry In the last five years, hate crimes against LGBTQ+ people have risen by 112%, underscoring the critical need for safe, inclusive spaces where queer individuals can find a sense of belonging. Amid this crisis, Queer Lit has emerged as a sanctuary in the form of a literary refuge…
Leave a reply