Same-sex
marriages declining in the Netherlands

The Netherlands has registered more than 8,000 same-sex marriages since such unions were legalized almost five years ago, but their numbers are falling, according to official statistics reported by Agence France-Presse.

During the first year, 2,414 couples tied the knot, followed by 1,838 and 1,499 in 2002 and 2003, respectively. In 2004, 1,210 same-sex marriages were celebrated, followed by 1,166 in 2005. This year statisticians expect about 1,200 same-sex marriages.

In 2001 the Netherlands became the first country to allow same-sex marriages , giving gays and lesbians the same rights as heterosexuals. The CBS Statistics Institute gave the exact number of same-sex marriages since April 1, 2001, when those unions became legal, as 8,127.