Story highlights Bill expected to pass after July 12 vote

Attitudes have shifted since a 2011 referendum to legalize divorce

(CNN) Malta moved closer to passing a law legalizing same-sex marriage Wednesday after its parliament voted in favor of the measure, which marked a key step in the process.

The legislation now moves into the committee stage before a final vote is held in parliament on July 12 where it's expected to pass.

"On 12 July we will have the final vote which will introduce #MarriageEquality in #Malta," tweeted Malta's Prime Minister Joseph Muscat after the vote.

On 12 July we will have the final vote which will introduce #MarriageEquality in #Malta -JM — Joseph Muscat (@JosephMuscat_JM) July 5, 2017

The vote signals the latest in shifting attitudes that have swept across the staunchly Catholic country since a 2011 referendum to legalize divorce.

Since then, the country has introduced civil unions and last year became the first European state to ban "gay cure" therapy.

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