German President Signs Bill Legalizing Gay Marriage
Women kiss at a rally in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin on June 30, 2017.
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Berlin (AP) -- Germany's president has signed legislation legalizing gay marriage, his office said Friday, paving the way for the bill to take effect this fall.
Lawmakers approved the bill on June 30 in parliament's last session before Germany's September election. The move became possible after Chancellor Angela Merkel, whose conservative party had long been reluctant to budge on the issue, said she would allow its lawmakers to vote according to their conscience.