Primc: I expect a mass support of children rights at the referendum

The signatures delivered to the National Assembly in the morning

Metka Zevnik and Aleš Primc delivered 80,518 signatures for referendum initiative on the amending act on marriage. Foto: BoBo

"We have already had a referendum on the same topic, and we believe that people will respond again, and reject the disputable law," Aleš Primc said when bringing the signatures supporting the referendum initiative to the National Assembly.

Metka Zevnik and Aleš Primc, the leaders of the coalition »It's about children!« delivered to the National Assembly 80,518 signatures supporting the referendum initiative on amended law on marriage; 2,500 signatures would have been enough.

"I am pleased with the all-Slovenian coalition It's about Children!. It started18 days ago with 200 members; 12 days later already 8,500 people participated at our Day of Love meeting, and after five more days our number increased to 80,500. The people made their demand known: they want children to have a mother and a father, not parents no. 1 and no. 2; they want children to have grandpa and grandma, and nana and grandad, not grandparents no. 1 and no. 2," explained Metka Zevnik, the representative of the Association of Grandparents of Slovenia within the coalition It's about Children.

She explained that the referendum initiative also includes their opposition to adoption of children by the same-sex couples, and the fact that the law gives schools the right to acquaint children with a homosexual family.

"Such families exist, but are not so frequent. It concerns a small number of families where one of the partners is a biological father or mother, and allows the adoption of the child by the other partner. The number of such children is very small, as the other parent must renounce parental rights, or must be deceased. I believe that the same-sex parents can raise children well, and with love. Two males can’t replace a mother, nor can two females replace a father. It is obvious from the basic education of children for their identity," Zevnik explained the situation of the existing same-sex families, and added that the amending act deals with the general possibility of adoption. "Presently 600 couples are waiting for adoption, and in this way a larger community will join them, while there are very few opportunities for adoption," she claims.

With 51 votes for and 28 against, last week the Slovenia's MPs confirmed the amendments to the Marriage and Family Relations Act equalizing the rights of homosexual and heterosexual couples.

T. K. B. Translated by G. K.