Merkel says “marriage” only between a man and a woman
German Chancellor Angela Merkel is parsing her words when it comes to same-sex marriage
German Chancellor Angela Merkel is parsing her words when it comes to same-sex marriage.
The leader of Germany’s conservative Christian Democratic Union party said in an interview with Internet personality Florian Mundt posted to YouTube that she backed equal benefits for same-sex couples and that discrimination should be “dismantled,” but she drew a “difference” between civil partnerships and the term “marriage.”
According to The Independent, which referenced a report from German broadcaster Deutsche Welle, Merkel is quoted as saying, “For me, personally, marriage is a man and a woman living together. That is my concept, but I support civil partnerships.”
The Chancellor went on to contrast civil partnerships with her idea of what marriage means, saying: “I don’t want discrimination and [I want] equality, but I make a difference at some point.”
Merkely previously ruled out introducing the idea of a referendum or legislation to legalize same-sex marriages when asked about the prospect in May, following the successful gay marriage referendum that overwhelmingly passed in Ireland.
“Today was an important milestone in dismantling discrimination and the chancellor is pleased about that…but same-sex marriages are not a goal of this government,” a spokesman for the chancellor said at the time.
Support Metro Weekly’s Journalism
These are challenging times for news organizations. And yet it’s crucial we stay active and provide vital resources and information to both our local readers and the world. So won’t you please take a moment and consider supporting Metro Weekly with a membership? For as little as $5 a month, you can help ensure Metro Weekly magazine and MetroWeekly.com remain free, viable resources as we provide the best, most diverse, culturally-resonant LGBTQ coverage in both the D.C. region and around the world. Memberships come with exclusive perks and discounts, your own personal digital delivery of each week’s magazine (and an archive), access to our Member's Lounge when it launches this fall, and exclusive members-only items like Metro Weekly Membership Mugs and Tote Bags! Check out all our membership levels here and please join us today!
