Dutch Parliament Approves Gay Marriages — Newsflash

Dutch parliament approves gay marriage The Dutch parliament and cabinet are locked in a conflict over samesex marriage. On April 17 the lower house of parliament voted that same-sex partners should have equal rights to marry, parent and adopt. The vote promised legal rights to thousands of Dutch lesbian and gay parents who today have none. The 81-60 majority came as an unpleasant surprise for the liberalsocial democratic coalition government. The cabinet had proposed to create a form of legal registration for lesbian/gay couples, similar to what exists now in Norway, Sweden and Denmark, but without rights to marry or adopt. Though most politicians in the Netherlands formally support lesbian/gay equality, the vote was denounced by liberal VVD party leader Bolkestein, Catholic Cardinal Simonis and others. The queen is also rumored to have expressed dismay. Further towards the left, a discussion has begun about whether the institution of marriage should be transformed or abolished. The feminist Council on Emancipation suggests that it be replaced with individual cohabitation contracts. Lesbian and gay activists in the Green Left party and Socialist Workers Party are concerned that same-sex partners who now have health, pension, tax and other social benefits might eventually be forced to choose between marriage and losing their benefits. The parliament's decision only requires the cabinet to appoint a commission and put forward a draft gay marriage law by August 1997. The cabinet is discussing whether to implement the motion at all, and if so how. [PD]