In Sweden, female same-sex couples are more likely to marry than male, statistics published on friday indicate.
The government agency Statistika Central Byran, Statistics Sweden, published the figures which showed that there are 4,521 married female couples in the country compared to 3,646 married male couples.
“It’s quite simply more common that female couples have children. Many get married when they have a child to protect the child legally,” said Ulrika Westerlund, president of the organisation Swedish Federation for LGBT rights.
Sweden legalised equal marriage in 2009 and the Lutheran Church, which was the state church until 2000, has authorised the celebration of same-sex marriages.
Back in May, at the Eurovision Song Contest, host Petra Mede sung a piece on Swedish culture including a reference to the country’s same-sex marriage laws, illustrated by two male backing dancers sharing a kiss.