Dec 10, 2004   | COMMENTS     

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Poland’s upper house of parliament approved a bill last week that would allow gay couples to gain legal partnership rights, immediately drawing sharp criticism from the nation’s powerful Roman Catholic Church. The Senate voted 38-23 with 15 abstentions to send the draft to the lower house, or Sejm, where the bill was expected to meet resistance. If it becomes law, the bill would allow gay couples to register with city or town officials, which would give them inheritance rights and other legal guarantees — but not the right to adopt children. Sen. Maria Szyszkowska, a member of Prime Minister Marek Belka’s Democratic Left Alliance who authored the bill, said the decision marks the “start of building tolerance in Poland.” But Father Jerzy Kloch, spokesperson for the Polish Episcopate, blasted the measure, saying it violates Poland’s constitution, which says “a marriage is a union between a man and a woman.” “If this bill was implemented it would bring irreparable social damage for marriage and family and upbringing of children,” Kloch said.

Canadian high court’s decision on gay marriage expected this week
TORONTO, Ontario, Canada — Lawmakers were poised this week to take action on legislation related to same-sex marriage, as they await an expected decision from the Canadian Supreme Court on the issue, CTV reported. “It’s very important that the government move quickly on this when a decision is made,” NDP House Leader Libby Davies told CTV on Sunday. “What will happen in terms of the Liberal government? And all those backbenchers who are wishy-washy — or opposed — to same-sex marriage?” Liberal Public Works Minister Scott Brison told CTV that Parliament will take action as soon as the court decision is handed down. “We’ll move forward,” Brison, a gay MP from Nova Scotia, told CTV. “It’s important this be seen for what it is and this is a basic issue around equality.” Lower courts in three Canadian provinces ruled same-sex marriage legal, prompting the federal government to draft a law recognizing such unions, CTV reported. Jean Chretien, outgoing prime minister, then asked the high court to review the bill.

New Zealand lawmaker offers alternative to gay civil unions
WELLINGTON, N.Z. — National MP Richard Worth said his alternative to civil unions is superior to other options because it allows legal recognition for gay couples without marriage, NZ City reported this week. Worth, justice spokesperson for the National Party, backs an amendment to the controversial civil union measure, which faces a third reading before New Zealand leaders this week, according to NZ City. Worth said his proposal allows any two people to register for a civil relationship, allowing couples to have their relationship recognized by law but not in the form of a marriage, NZ City reported. United Future leader Peter Dunne also backs the measure, saying the public is opposed to same-sex marriage but would accept recognition of non-traditional relationships, the news outlet reported.

Australian Parliament to debate bill giving gay couples equal rights
SYDNEY, Australia — The nation’s legislators will debate equal rights for same-sex couples this week, ABC Online reported. The South Australian government’s legislation now goes before Parliament’s Upper House, but some representatives are doubtful about its future, according to ABC Online. Debate on the bill was transferred from the Lower to the Upper House last month by the government, which contends the move gives the new laws a better chance of making progress through Parliament this year, ABC Online reported. Democratic MP Kate Reynolds, however, told reporters that the measure’s opponents in the Upper House will be able to re-route the bill into the social development committee, further delaying action, ABC Online reported.

Gay Nigerian man wins asylum in U.S. after 11-month fight
NEW YORK, N.Y. — After fleeing Nigeria out of fear for his life from a mob that killed his second partner after finding out the two were romantically involved, a gay man has won asylum in the United States, Immigration Equality stated in a press release. The man, given the pseudonym “Ojo,” was taken into the custody of U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement upon arrival in New York without the proper paperwork, the group stated in its press ...