In Dutch News:

Groningen city council said on Thursday it would not renew the contracts of three civil servants who have refused to officiate at same sex weddings.

The contracts are due to expire in 2014. The three cannot be sacked because their action is not against the law.

Gay rights lobby group COC is using this weekend's Gay Pride celebrations to urge the government to get tough on registrars who refuse to perform gay weddings.

According to COC research, 58 local councils employ a total 0f 102 registrars who refuse to marry same sex couples. Nearly all are orthodox Christians.

Emancipation minister Marja van Bijsterveld said in June that civil servants could refuse to perform gay weddings on religious grounds.