The rapid approval of gay marriage in Germany has left its computer systems lagging behind. The work-around means bureaucrats have to enter false information regarding the gender of one of the spouses.
Image: REUTERS/F. Bensch
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Germany's bureaucratic computer systems will be unable to cope with the legalization of same-sex marriage in Germany, Berlin authorities announced on Monday.
When the new same-sex marriage law takes effect on October 1, registry systems will not allow bureaucrats to enter two people of the same gender into one marriage, German news agency DPA and daily newspaper Berliner Morgenpost, reported.
Same-sex marriage was spontaneously legalized in Germany in July, after German Chancellor Angela Merkel allowed members of her ruling Christian Democratic party (CDU) to vote according to their conscience. The CDU had previoulsy opposed the granting of full marriage rights for all.
A bill was signed into law within days of Merkel changing her party policy, but it seems the administrative institutions that register marriages were unable to keep up.
The problem was previously thought to be contained to registry offices in the state of Berlin, but the Interior Ministry confirmed on Monday that the issue was nationwide.
It will take more than a year to update the software to allow two people of the same gender to be registered in one marriage. Until that date, bureaucrats will be forced to enter the incorrect gender for one of the people getting married.
The ministry said software developers were normally given a nine-month headstart on such policy changes.
The lack of progress was condemned by the Berlin arm of the Lesbian and Gay Federation, the largest LGBT rights organization in the country.
"It is embarrassing that in the 21st century, a small adjustment would create such problems," said spokesman Jörg Steinert.
Registry authorities in Berlin have been warning of long delays when the new law takes effect.
Parliamentarians react to 'historic' vote in favor of gay marriage
The vote in the Bundestag was a 'historic' moment for advocates of same-sex marriage. For Chancellor Angela Merkel, it was a defeat that showed strains in her coalition - months before Germany's federal election.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/M. Becker
'Yes' vote prompts kisses
Moments after parliament endorsed "marriage for all," with 393 in favor, 226 against and four abstentions, same-sex couples in the chamber's public gallery openly kissed and hugged one another. Those voting in favor included 75 members of Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservative CDU-CSU bloc.
Image: REUTERS/F. Bensch
Sober Merkel tells media she voted 'no '
Following the vote, a sober-looking Chancellor Angela Merkel waiting in parliament's canteen revealed to journalists that she voted against the legislation because of her "basic belief" in marriage being solely "between a man and woman." She claimed her belief was anchored in the German constitution.
Image: REUTERS/F. Bensch
Pensive moment as parliament votes
For same-sex advocates, the first legislative hurdle was to get the bill - rejected 30 times in committee - onto the agenda in parliament. Its procedural adoption via a consensus reached between the Greens, the Left and the Social Democrats left Merkel and conservative whip Volker Kauder taken back. Kauder insisted that as a Christian he could only accept marriage between a man and a woman.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/T. Schwarz
Angry words from an advocate
Social Democrat Johannes Kahrs, a same-sex marriage advocate who organized parliament's cross-party "yes" bloc for the snap vote, accused Merkel and her conservatives of "wretchedly" blocking the measure for years. "I'm fed up. We deserve [gender] equality," Kahrs told parliament. He said the legislative victory was a turning point in history similar to the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Image: picture-alliance/AP Photo/M. Schreiber
The 'wall' has fallen
Greens parliamentarians showered their retiring colleague and same-sex advocate Volker Beck with confetti as the vote result was announced. Later in tears, he told German television that the "yes" vote had helped restore harmony in German society. The "wall" has fallen, Beck said, adding that the key was how two individuals cared for one another, regardless of their gender.
Image: REUTERS/F. Bensch
Coalition partner celebrates 'victory'
SPD leader Martin Schulz (right) said the vote was a "victory," less so for his center-left party but for the dignity of the individual, as enshrined in Article 1 of Germany's constitution. SPD whip Thomas Oppermann (center) said the vote was "good for the public," even if it didn't align with Merkel's vision on the matter.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/T. Schwarz
Euphoria outside parliament
Dozens of activists celebrated the legislation outside the Bundestag in the aftermath of the vote. A Bild newspaper survey earlier in the week showed three quarters of Germany's population favored legal recognition of same-sex marriage. In 2001, legal reform recognized homosexuals in partnerships but left gay couples unable to jointly adopt children.
Image: REUTERS/H. Hanschke
Still controversial in some parts of the world
Countries across Europe, the Americas and Oceania have adopted same sex marriage. This map shows the situation across the world prior to the Bundestag vote. Despite the legislative victory in Germany, same-sex marriage remains a controversial issue in many parts of the world, most notably in the Middle East, Africa and parts of Asia.
A dream come true
The legal recognition of same-sex marriage marked a dream come true for former Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle, who died of leukemia in 2016. He long fought for sexual equality and the recognition of constitutional rights for same-sex couples.
