The upper chamber
of the Czech parliament voted Thursday to grant some
legal rights to same-sex partners. Forty-five of the 65
lawmakers present in the 81-seat senate voted in favor
of the law, 14 were against. Six senators abstained.
If approved also by President Vaclav Klaus, the
legislation will allow couples who register their
partnership with authorities to have inheritance and
health care rights similar to those granted now to
heterosexual married couples.
The law, however,
does not allow marriage or adoption of children by
same-sex partners. "It's a great encouragement for us," said
Jiri Hromada, a leading Czech gay activist, in
response to the vote. Hromada said he hoped the law
will also be approved by the president, saying that
"the law is not that controversial.... I'm sure the
president will consider all circumstances when
deciding."
Earlier this
month representatives of 10 Christian churches in the Czech
Republic called on the senate and the president to reject
the legislation, warning that it would "weaken family
life and cause chaos in values, mainly in the young
generation." (AP)
Charlie Kirk DID say stoning gay people was the 'perfect law' — and these other heinous quotes