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| Croatia holds referendum on same-sex marriage ban | Croatia holds referendum on same-sex marriage ban |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Polls have opened in Croatia for a controversial referendum on proposals to ban same-sex marriages. | |
| Voters are deciding whether to approve changes to Croatia's constitution to define marriage as a union between a man and a woman. | |
| On Saturday hundreds of gay rights supporters marched through the capital, Zagreb, in protest at the vote. | On Saturday hundreds of gay rights supporters marched through the capital, Zagreb, in protest at the vote. |
| A petition backing the referendum, drawn up by a Catholic group, received more than 700,000 signatures. | A petition backing the referendum, drawn up by a Catholic group, received more than 700,000 signatures. |
| The referendum will ask the question: "Do you agree that marriage is matrimony between a man and a woman?" | The referendum will ask the question: "Do you agree that marriage is matrimony between a man and a woman?" |
| If there is a "yes" vote, Croatia's constitution will be amended to ban gay marriages. Croatia became the 28th member of the European Union in July. | If there is a "yes" vote, Croatia's constitution will be amended to ban gay marriages. Croatia became the 28th member of the European Union in July. |
| An opinion poll for state broadcaster HRT suggested that 59% of Croatians would vote "yes" in Sunday's vote, with 31% against. | |
| Almost 90% of Croatia's population of 4.4 million are Roman Catholics and the Church has strongly urged a "yes" vote. | Almost 90% of Croatia's population of 4.4 million are Roman Catholics and the Church has strongly urged a "yes" vote. |
| The vote has also received support from 104 members of Croatia's 151-seat parliament. | The vote has also received support from 104 members of Croatia's 151-seat parliament. |
| The government, human rights groups and prominent public figures have all spoken out against the referendum, urging people to vote no. | The government, human rights groups and prominent public figures have all spoken out against the referendum, urging people to vote no. |
| Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic argued that the referendum threatened people's right to happiness and choice. But leaders of the opposition HDZ party are behind the referendum. | Prime Minister Zoran Milanovic argued that the referendum threatened people's right to happiness and choice. But leaders of the opposition HDZ party are behind the referendum. |
| Gay rights protesters, under a heavy police presence, marched for an hour through the city and unfurled a giant rainbow flag outside parliament. | Gay rights protesters, under a heavy police presence, marched for an hour through the city and unfurled a giant rainbow flag outside parliament. |
| "We urge voters... to protect minority rights so that no-one in Croatia becomes a second-class citizen," activist Sanja Juras told a crowd in Zagreb on Saturday. | "We urge voters... to protect minority rights so that no-one in Croatia becomes a second-class citizen," activist Sanja Juras told a crowd in Zagreb on Saturday. |
| The plan for a referendum was allowed parliamentary scrutiny after a Catholic group called "In the Name of the Family" gathered enough signatures to pass the required threshold of support. | The plan for a referendum was allowed parliamentary scrutiny after a Catholic group called "In the Name of the Family" gathered enough signatures to pass the required threshold of support. |
| "Marriage is the only union enabling procreation. This is the key difference between a marriage... and other unions," said Croatia's Cardinal Josip Bozanic in a letter read out in churches. | "Marriage is the only union enabling procreation. This is the key difference between a marriage... and other unions," said Croatia's Cardinal Josip Bozanic in a letter read out in churches. |
| Correspondents say attitudes towards gay rights in Croatia - which joined the European Union in July - are slowly changing. | Correspondents say attitudes towards gay rights in Croatia - which joined the European Union in July - are slowly changing. |
| In Zagreb's first gay pride parade in 2002, dozens of participants were beaten up by extremists. | In Zagreb's first gay pride parade in 2002, dozens of participants were beaten up by extremists. |
| Parades are now held regularly although under heavy security. | Parades are now held regularly although under heavy security. |