Estonia joins countries legalizing same-sex marriage.

Estonia has become the first Baltic country to legalize same-sex marriage, with 55 votes in favor and 34 against. The legislation will come into force in 2024. The move comes after the liberal coalition government took office two months ago. Estonia introduced same-sex civil unions in 2014, but they did not guarantee the same adoption rights and parental recognition that automatically come with marriage. A recent survey conducted by the Estonian Human Rights Center found that 53% of the population supports marriage equality, compared with 34% in 2012.