To mark the tenth anniversary of same-sex marriage in the Netherlands, the Mayor of Amsterdam has performed a ceremony to marry a male couple. Eberhaard van der Laan will also marry a female couple today.

The two couples are tying the knot in the Amsterdam Museum. The ceremonies are being held at a table specially designed for the wedding of Prince Willem-Alexander and Princess Máxima in 2002. Other couples will also be able to marry at the special venue after today.

There are several events to mark ten years of same-sex marriages. At Amsterdam's town hall, there is a photo exhibition. Later today, various organisations, politicians and ambassadors for same-sex marriages have been invited to the Westergasfabriek Culture Park to celebrate the event.

The Green Left party wants the government to take steps to reinforce gay rights in the Netherlands. They say civil servants who carry out wedding ceremonies should not be allowed to refuse to marry gay couples. The party also wants to see equal parenting rights for homosexuals.

(nc/ae)

© Radio Netherlands Worldwide

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