Yesterday, Foundation for Protecting Family and Tradition (SA Perekonna ja Traditsiooni Kaitseks, SAPTK) held a demonstration in Tallinn aimed against planned Cohabitation Act. In addition to hundreds who were against, supporters of the law showed up as well.
Cohabitation Act fills Toompea with cons and pros
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Sulev ja Aili Saarna, married for 33 years, came to the demonstration from Pärnu.
«We don’t need a law like that, we have 101 various forms of agreements to regulate partnership and relations, but family is family,» said Sulev Saarna. He thinks Riigikogu is simply trying to override the public opinion with the law in question.
«I have given birth to three children and I would have never ever thought I’d be standing here with a poster for something that used to be totally normal. If necessary, I’m coming again,» promised Aili Saarna.
According to SAPTK chairman Varro Vooglaid, the demonstration was the citizens’ last chance to stand against the attempt to force the law through, fundamentally rearranging the basics of family and marriage. Tomorrow, the bill will have its second hearing in the parliament.
Those for the law had also shown up. Some had dressed themselves in medieval apparel in order to underline: in the Middle Ages, there was just one correct world view, but today we have democracy.
«In democratic countries there is plurality of opinions and one must consider that the majority is not to decide over minority issues. This decision (ratification of cohabitation act – edit) must get done in current form,» said Sandra Vokk).
According to entertainer Mihkel Raud (soc dems, SDE), he – though a man for the cohabitation act – he understands people have various fears regarding changes.
«The fact remains, in Estonian Republic all people have equal rights to get married and create a family. What the opposing party stands for is not equal rights. They demand that we redefine family and marriage so it would encompass homosexual relations. This is not demanding equal rights, this is demanding that we rewrite the meanings of the foundational institutions of our society,» Mr Vooglaid told those favouring the act.