The former Yugoslav state of Slovenia has become the 13th European country to legalise equal marriage. In a vote of 51 to 28 in the 90-seat Parliament, lawmakers passed legislation that would amend the current marriage and family relations act to allow same-sex couples to legally marry and adopt. Registered partnership for same-sex couples had been legal since 2006, bringing with it inheritance, social security and next-of-kin rights.

Centre-right opposition parties had been hostile to the proposed changes, saying it will undermine ‘traditional family values’. However, a poll conducted by news outlet Delo Stik in February 2015 showed that 59 per cent of Slovenians surveyed supported same-sex marriage, while 38 per cent supported adoptions by same-sex couples.

During the session, some 2,000 people gathered in front of parliament to protest, announcing that they would launch a petition for a referendum to prevent it from entering into force.

The last few years has seen Slovenia buffing up its pink credentials, with the tourist board promoting Pink Week. So So Gay‘s Adam Lowe wrote that ‘Slovenia is something of a hidden gem we were glad to discover,’ adding that ‘Slovenia offers what few destinations can: variety, culture and generosity.’

Some 92 per cent of the population between the age of 25 and 64 can speak at least one foreign language and almost three-quarters speak at least two foreign languages, with more than half being good English speakers.