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The Republic of Ireland is considering a bill that would grant gay and lesbian couples most of the rights and obligations of marriage.
Debate began Thursday on Justice Minister Dermot Ahern's Civil Partnership Bill, the Independent reported.
Ahern said the new bill “will change the legal landscape” for gay couples.
Ireland reversed a law that made being gay a criminal offense in 1993. Since then, the nation has banned discrimination based on sexual orientation and opened the military to gay and lesbian service members. But lawmakers refuse to recognize gender identity and gay men are banned from donating blood.
If approved, the bill would create a separate legal framework from heterosexual marriage for gay couples. The civil partnership, which offers many of the rights of marriage except adoption, has received a mixed reception by gay rights groups. Some say the adoption exclusion makes the bill unacceptable, while other have welcomed the progress.
Read full article at On Top Magazine
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