October 8, 1998
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October 8, 1998 |
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news | resources | culture | q-chat | q-people | letters |
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| gay news |
From marriage rights to murder: How the world treats gays A new French Report reveals that the South African Constitution (1996) is unique in protecting gay civil rights PARIS, Oct 7, Sapa-AFP The civil status of homosexuals, which the French government is planning to bring closer to married status under its proposed Civil Solidarity Pact (PACS), varies widely around the world. Rights for gays and lesbians have improved significantly in the developed world in recent years, though usually excluding the right to marry, while in some countries homosexuals are still subjected to severe political and social repression. The following gives an indication of the variety of attitudes around the world. United States: The US Supreme Court outlawed discrimination against homosexuals in May 1996, and "gay partnerships" have become socially acceptable. In December 1997 New Jersey became the first state to authorise the adoption of children by homosexual men. However the federal government and 28 individual states have banned homosexual marriage. Canada: All provinces apart from Alberta and Prince Edward Island have banned discrimination. Scandinavia: All the Scandinavian countries (Denmank, Sweden and Norway) apart from Finland allow civil marriage for homosexuals. "Registered partnerships" grant cohabiting gays virtually identical rights to other married couples. However they are not allowed to adopt children, and lesbians are refused the right to artificial insemination. Denmark: On October 1, 1989 Denmark became the first country in the world to authorise partnerships. It was followed in 1993 by Norway and in 1994 by Sweden. Religious homosexual marriages are allowed, the many gays are dissatisfied with the ritual involved. The Netherlands: Gays have been allowed in the Dutch armed forces since 1974, while partnerships registered in town halls have been legal since January 1, 1998. Since February homoseuxals have been allowed to adopt children. Italy: Italian homosexuals enjoy certain social rights though these are not recorded in law. However last July the cities of Pisa and Florence have allowed gays to record themselves in civil records as living in partnerships. Spain: Last June the regional parliament of Catalonia voted to allow partnerships between gays, granting them identical rights to married couples apart from adoption. Germany: The German Bundesrat (upper chamber) called last July for gay couples to be granted legal status, but for the moment they have none. United Kingdom: Britain is the only country in the European Union to maintain a distinction between the legal age of consent for heterosexual relations (16) and homosexual relations (18). Homosexual relations between consenting adults were decriminalised in 1967. A homosexual was allowed to adopt a child in 1996. Ireland: Homosexuality was decriminalised for people aged 17 and above in 1993. Switzerland: Gay couples are barred from succession and social insurance rights. Australia: The Australian army has placed recruitment advertisements in the gay press. South Africa: The new South African constitution (1996; (Art. 9.3)) is unique in specifically defending homosexual rights. Gays have been accepted in the army since 1996. Russia: A presidential decree ended the repression of gays. Under the communist regime several homosexuals, or dissidents said to be gay, were put in prison. Hungary: Since May 1996 civil law has granted gay couples the same civil rights as unmarried heterosexual couples apart from the right to adopt or to marry. China: Under the communist regime homosexuals have traditionally been portrayed as mentally ill. Romania: Homosexuality remains illegal in Romania, where deputies last June voted against a government proposal to outlaw discrimination. Moslem countries: Life is extremely difficult for homosexuals in countries which practise Sharia law, and they are obliged to conceal their preference. Zimbabwe: President Robert Mugabe's personal antipathy towards gays has meant they continue to have no rights. Brazil: More than 1,600 homosexuals have been murdered in Brazil over the past 15 years. Source : Sapa-AFP See Zachie Achmat's article on the Coalition.
an Electronic Mail & Guardian publication
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