Paris, December 17th 2015
Dear Comrades of United Left,
On Sunday December 20th a referendum is to be held on the right of same-sex couples to marry.
The Parti de Gauche is eager to provide you with it’s wholehearted support in the YES [ZA] campaign which defends Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual individuals’ equal rights
In Slovenia, the debate surrounding marriage rights for same-sex couples has met with very strong opposition from conservative parties, backed by the Catholic Church. This will be the 2nd Referendum on the subject in 3 years. Furthermore, this referendum is taking place even though legislation has already been adopted by the Slovenian parliament. The conservative party has tried everything to oppose it, and forced the Constitutional Court to require a referendum and you to defend this project yet again.
In France, equal marriage rights encountered opposition among the strongest in Europe. We were obliged to confront oponents in parliament and in the street for several months. Even so, and in spite of the Far Right and radical groups’ homophobic campaign, the legislation was finally adopted in 2013 and validated by the Constitutional Counsel.
We are convinced that the Slovenian people will support this project, filled with hope for a more equitable humane society, respectful of individual men and women.
We seize the opportunity to thank you for the warm wishes of solidarity we received from you following the terrorist attacks in Paris on the 13th of November.
We have formed the hope that 2016 will usher in the changes which European people need. We will contribute as soon as next January 23rd – 24th- along with other European groups with the founding of a European Plan B Summit, which you have already ensured us to support.
Čas je ZA ! [Now's the time to vote for it !]
Jean-Charles Lallemand,
Member of the Executive National Secretary of the Parti de Gauche, in charge of LGBT questions.
