Straights Barred
from Hungary's D.P. Registry

Hungary has overturned a law that allowed domestic partnerships for heterosexual couples that would have become effective January 1, according to the Associated Press. The court said, however, that gay couples could apply to the registry.

Hungary's constitutional court made the ruling because it decided domestic partnerships would diminish the importance of marriage. The court added that the law would give unmarried heterosexual couples the same rights as married couples, therefore "downgrading" the institution of marriage.

Hungary's parliament passed the law in December 2007, allowing unmarried couples to have taxation, inheritance, and other fiscal rights and responsibilities, according to Reuters.

In addition to Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovenia recognize same-sex couples, but none of the former Soviet bloc countries allow gay marriage. (Michelle Garcia, Advocate.com)