Legal recognition of
same-sex relationships |
| Same-sex marriage |
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| Recognized in some regions |
United States (MA, CA eff. 2008-6-14)
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| Foreign marriages recognized |
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Civil unions and
registered partnerships |
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| Recognized in some regions |
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Argentina (C, R, VCP)
Australia (TAS; VIC eff. 2008-12-1 and ACT eff. 2008-11-15)
Brazil (RS)
Canada (QC)
Mexico (Coah., DF)
United States (CA, CT, DC, HI, ME, NH, NJ, OR, VT, WA)
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| Unregistered co-habitation |
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| Recognition debated |
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Recognition granted,
same-sex marriage debated |
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United States (CT, DC, HI, ME, NH, NJ, OR, VT, WA) |
| See also |
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Same-sex marriage
Civil union
Registered partnership
Domestic partnership
Timeline of same-sex marriage
Listings by country
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Registered partnership is one of several terms synonymous with a civil union or civil partnership similar to marriage, typically created in order to provide same-sex couples the legal and social benefits of traditional marriage and thus could be described as quasi marriages. The term is used in the Scandinavian countries, The Netherlands, Czech Republic and Switzerland. The same concept under slight different terminology can also be found in Germany and the United Kingdom. Denmark was the first country in the world to offer registered partnerships to same-sex couples, beginning on June 7, 1989. The first union created under this new law took place on October 1, 1989 between Axel and Eigil Axgil.
In Finland, law on registered partnership came into force on 1 March 2002, having been approved by the Parliament in September 2001.
Registered partnerships in these countries are nearly equal to marriage. The Scandinavian registered partnership laws are short, and basically state that, wherever the word "marriage" or "spouse" appears in the country's laws, it will also be construed to mean "registered partnership" or "registered partner", respectively. However, certain rights of adoption (i.e., of foreign-born adoptees) and of a church ceremony are restricted under registered partnerships. In Sweden, however, same-sex couples were given all the rights of adoption in 2005. Iceland will legalize adoption as well by the end of 2006. Norway allows adoption of a registered partner's children only.
The main argument against registered partnership is that it creates a situation of separate but equal, called "marriage apartheid" by some. Others claim that these partnerships allow same-sex marriage by another name.
It is expected that same-sex couples in Scandinavia, Iceland, and Finland will soon be granted the right to marry, perhaps in 2008 or 2009 in Sweden. [1]
In other places, registered partnerships have been instituted by municipalities in recognition of same-sex relationships. These partnerships are often merely nominal, conferring few actual benefits or obligations.
See also
External links
Stonewall.org.uk - Countries that recognise or proposed to recognise same-sex relationships
Recent book by Darren Spedale and William Eskridge, Jr. on the Scandinavian Registered Partnership laws: [2]
Recent article by Darren Spedale, William Eskridge, Jr. and Hans Ytterberg on the effect of the Registered Partnership Laws on society: [3]
Partners Task Force for Gay and Lesbian Couples, list of municipalities in the United States and some other countries where same-sex couples can register: [4]
Status of legal recognition in Europe. Same sex marriage recognised Civil unions recognised Unregistered cohabitation recognised Issue under political consideration Unrecognised or unknown Same sex marriage banned
Provinces and territories with same-sex marriage before its nationwide legalization on July 20, 2005 Permitted Did not permit
Laws Regarding Same-Sex Partnerships in the United States Same sex marriages Same sex unions Foreign marriage licenses recognized Domestic Partnerships Statute bans Same-Sex Marriage Constitution bans Same-Sex Marriage Constitution bans Same-Sex Marriage and Union
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