Austria: Official Recognition of Gay/Lesbian Unions Begins January 1st

Landmark legislation on same-sex registered partnerships in Catholic Austria is an example that politicians in Eastern Europe's Catholic countries should now follow, gay rights groups in the region say. The legislation, which was passed by lawmakers last week, gives legal recognition to same sex couples' partnerships as well as many of the rights enjoyed by heterosexual couples such as access to pension on the death of a partner and alimony if a pair separates. Austrian gay rights groups hailed the legislation as the work of more than two decades of lobbying, while politicians who backed the law, due to come into effect Jan. 1 next year, described it as a "step forward" for the country. Campaigners in Catholic Eastern European states say the decision shows that politicians' use of religious arguments against same sex marriages is unfounded. Full Story from IPS News: http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=49724

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