History was made last Thursday when Estonia legalized gay partnerships -- a first for former Soviet nations! Lawmakers voted 40-38 in favor of approving the partnership act that recognizes civil unions regardless of gender. In essence, all couples in civil unions (including gay couples) are given similar rights to married couples. This includes social, health and financial benefits. Legal protection for children is also granted. For instance, the law allows for one partner to adopt the biological child of the other partner!
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| image courtesy of neurope.eu |
The Estonian Human Rights Center director Kari Kasper had this to say: "Estonia (has) made a leap toward a society that is freer, more equal and values human rights for all."
A few kilometers away, however, something entirely different is also happening. Lawmakers in Kyrgyzstan began discussion on a bill making gay "propaganda" punishable by a prison for up to one year. Kyrgyzstan is a predominantly Muslim nation on China's mountainous western border. It has cultivated close ties with Russia and wants to be a member of a Moscow-led economic bloc. The anti-gay movement was described as necessary for "traditional family values."
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