Newly crowned Miss Belgium 2012, Laura
Beyne, is not sure whether she supports gay marriage, Belgium's RTL
reported.
Beyne, who will go on to represent
Belgium in the Miss Universe, Miss World and Miss International
beauty pageants, said she mostly supports marriage between two
members of the same sex.
The 19-year-old Beyne appeared a bit
surprised when she was asked her opinion of the issue.
“It is true that more and more people
are gay, but, well, we should remember that they are also human
beings. I think they can do pretty much what they want. Right now
I'm more or less in favor of gay marriage. I believe that is
available [gay marriage], there are other problems such as adopting
children and that is something different, more complicated,” Beyne
answered. “But I'm not against gay marriage.”
Belgium in 2003 became the second
country after the Netherlands to legalize gay marriage. Since then,
another five European countries – Iceland, Norway, Portugal, Spain
and Sweden – have followed suit.
Beyne's remarks have sparked a wave of
commentary on social networks in Belgium.