Gay couples in
Belgium get adoption rights

The Belgian parliament in Brussels has narrowly approved a bill to grant gay couples equal rights in adoption. Senators backed the proposal Thursday by a vote of 34-33, with two abstentions. The house had earlier voted 77-62 in favor of the bill. With the passage of the bill, Belgium becomes the fourth European Union member state to allow gay couples equal rights in adoption, after Spain, the Netherlands, and Sweden. Up to now, only heterosexual couples or single people were granted adoption rights. "It is a memorable day for the children of gays. Finally they earn the right of a worthy legal link with both their parents," said Mieke Stessens of the Belgian Federation of Gays. (AP)