teech
02-09-2007, 08:08 PM
europe looks more and more promising each day!
Following overnight deliberation and debate, Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi ([Only registered and activated users can see links])'s Cabinet on Thursday approved legislation creating civil unions for gay and lesbian couples ([Only registered and activated users can see links]).
Unmarried gay and straight couples can now register their union and receive some of the rights of married couples. Partners would have to prove they have been together for a set amount of time.
The new bill still faces an uncertain future as it must get through the Italian parliament. Although it is said to have majority support in the lower house, it is unclear how much support it will have in the Senate.
The civil union legislation does not match the United Kingdom's all-encompassing civil partnership law, which grants all marriage rights.
It would allow couples to sign a civil registry and then share pensions, health insurance, enter into contracts and acquire property and inheritance rights.
"It's the first time in the legislation of our country that people who live together, heterosexual or homosexual, will have their basic rights recognized," said Piero Fassino of the Left Democrats. Fassino said the bill "allows the recognition of the rights of those who live together by making this cohabitation more serene and solid, and at the same time respecting the Italian constitution, which guarantees that the family is founded on marriage."
[Only registered and activated users can see links]
Following overnight deliberation and debate, Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi ([Only registered and activated users can see links])'s Cabinet on Thursday approved legislation creating civil unions for gay and lesbian couples ([Only registered and activated users can see links]).
Unmarried gay and straight couples can now register their union and receive some of the rights of married couples. Partners would have to prove they have been together for a set amount of time.
The new bill still faces an uncertain future as it must get through the Italian parliament. Although it is said to have majority support in the lower house, it is unclear how much support it will have in the Senate.
The civil union legislation does not match the United Kingdom's all-encompassing civil partnership law, which grants all marriage rights.
It would allow couples to sign a civil registry and then share pensions, health insurance, enter into contracts and acquire property and inheritance rights.
"It's the first time in the legislation of our country that people who live together, heterosexual or homosexual, will have their basic rights recognized," said Piero Fassino of the Left Democrats. Fassino said the bill "allows the recognition of the rights of those who live together by making this cohabitation more serene and solid, and at the same time respecting the Italian constitution, which guarantees that the family is founded on marriage."
[Only registered and activated users can see links]