WASHINGTON–– The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, today commended the government of Finland for passing legislation that will make it the 20th nation to grant full marriage rights to all of its citizens.

“We commend the elected representatives of Finland for passing such historic legislation ensuring the nation’s LGBT citizens receive the rights they deserve, and we congratulate the LGBT activists and advocates who made this momentous day possible,” said Ty Cobb, Director of HRC Global.

Finland’s national parliament, the Eduskunta, approved the bill by a vote of 105 to 92. Changes brought about by the bill are not expected to take effect until 2016 at the earliest. Currently, only civil unions are available to same-sex couples.

Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Uruguay, as well as England and Wales in the United Kingdom, have marriage equality laws that are in effect. In addition, Scotland is set to extend full marriage rights to its LGBT citizens by the end of 2014, and Luxembourg is set to in early 2015.

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. HRC envisions a world where LGBT people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community.

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