In National Referendum, Croatia Votes to Ban Marriage Equality

The largely Catholic country voted to limit marriage to one man and one woman.

Lucas Grindley

Lucas Grindley is VP and Editorial Director for Here Media, which is parent company to The Advocate. His Twitter account is filled with politics, Philip Glass appreciation, and adorable photos of his twin toddler daughters.

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Lucas Grindley

December 01 2013 6:26 PM EST

April 11 2018 11:59 PM EST

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After intense public demonstrations on both sides this weekend, voters in Croatia went to the polls and sided against marriage equality.

AFP reports that more than 65 percent of Croatians voted on Sunday to amend the country's constitution with a ban on same-sex marriage. The process is much like amendments in American states that limit marriage to one man and one woman with a simple majority vote at the ballot box.

The Catholic Church has great influence in the country and led publicly on the "yes" vote side, meaning a vote for limiting marriage.

See photos from the protests on the following pages.

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Croatian gay rights supporters hold a picture of Tomislav Karamarko, leader of the conservative opposition Croatian Democratic Union party, reading "Divorced," as they gather for a protest in Zagreb on the eve of the constitutional referendum.

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A protester holds a sign reading "Homosexuality is not a choice, hate is a choice" next to riot policemen. More than 1,000 people joined the "No" vote rally.

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A woman passes by a billboard set up by a Catholic Church-backed conservative initative that urged a "Yes" vote on Sunday's referendum. The referendum was the country's first citizens initiative since its 1991 independence.

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A Croatian woman attaches a message on the Christmas tree erected in Zagreb's main square calling for a "No" vote.