Denmark has become the latest country to award same-sex couples full marriage equality.

In 1989, the European nation became the first in the world to offer civil unions for same-sex partners. This latest ruling – passed in an 85-24 vote on Thursday – guarantees gay couples all the marriage rights that straight couples enjoy.

This includes the right to a church ceremony, rather than the civil registration or brief blessing they were limited to before.

The legislation will not force priests to marry same-sex couples and they are permitted to refuse as long as a replacement is arranged for their church.

Polls suggest half to two-thirds of Danish priests are willing to marry same-sex couples.

Denmark’s church minister, Manu Sareen, is calling the vote “historic”.

“It’s very important to give all members of the church the possibility to get married,” he says.

“I am very glad that a broad majority could be gathered to give homosexuals the same opportunity as all others to celebrate their love with marriage in church as well as in city hall.”

The legislation will come into effect on 15 June.