Wedding anniversaryFive years ago, Prime Minister Xavier Bettel said "I do" to Gauthier Destenay

RTL Today
Five years ago on this day, Luxembourg's Prime Minister Xavier Bettel got married to his partner Gauthier Destenay. The same-sex marriage marked a historic moment among EU leaders.
© Domingos Oliveira

2015 marked a pivotal point for the LGBT community in the Grand Duchy. A bill for the legislation of same-sex marriages was enacted by the Chamber of Deputies in 2014.

It became officially legal for same-sex couples to marry on 1 January 2015. Prime Minister Xavier Bettel got married to his partner, Belgian architect Gauthier Destenay, the same year on 15 May.

The wedding ceremony was presided over by Luxembourg City mayor Lydie Polfer and the historic moment widely covered by the international press.

© Domingos Oliveira

Xavier Bettel has long been known as a vocal proponent of gay rights and a key political player in the fight against homophobia.

According to national statistics service Statec, 219 same-sex marriages were celebrated in Luxembourg between 2015 and 2019. The ILGA-Europe association ranked Luxembourg third in Europe in terms of LFTB rights.

Video report in Luxembourgish

Xavier Bettel en première ligne contre l'homophobie
Vidéo réalisée en septembre 2019

“Being gay is not a choice": Xavier Bettel makes history at UN General Assembly
‘Respect’ for Luxembourg PM after he challenges Arab leaders on gay rights

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