Warsaw Registers Poland's First Same-Sex Marriage

Warsaw authorities registered Poland's first same-sex marriage on Thursday, marking compliance with European Union court rulings that require recognition of such unions performed abroad despite national laws prohibiting them.

The registration involved transcribing a marriage certificate for a same-sex couple, in line with a November decision by the EU's highest court ordering Poland to recognize marriages entered into in other EU countries. In March, Poland's Supreme Administrative Court cited that ruling to mandate authorities recognize the German marriage of two Polish men. "This morning we issued the first transcription of a marriage certificate for a same-sex couple, in accordance with the court rulings," Warsaw Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski said. He added that the city would proactively recognize other same-sex marriages registered elsewhere in the EU, even without specific court orders.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk affirmed his government's commitment to implementing the rulings promptly. Addressing same-sex couples, he stated, "I apologise to all those who, for many years, felt rejected and humiliated." Tusk urged officials across Poland, regardless of personal views, to respect...