The New York Times

Friday, March 17, 2000

EU Urges Gay Couple Equal Rights

By The Associated Press

BRUSSELS, Belgium (AP) -- The European Union's parliament has adopted a resolution urging the 15 EU nations to grant same-sex couples rights equal to those of heterosexual couples.

The recommendation, which is not binding on the member nations, was included in a human rights report approved Thursday by the European Parliament meeting in Strasbourg, France. The report was approved by a vote of 265-125 with 33 abstentions.

The resolution said EU nations should ``guarantee one-parent families, unmarried couples and same-sex couples rights equal to those enjoyed by traditional couples and families, particularly as regards tax law, pecuniary rights and social rights.''

It noted that ``European citizens continue to suffer discrimination and disadvantages in their personal and professional life as a result of their sexual orientation,'' despite specific references in the EU's basic treaty against such discrimination.

Some EU nations, including Denmark, Belgium, Sweden and the Netherlands, already grant legal recognition to extramarital couples regardless of gender. Other nations' parliaments are debating the question.

The parliament said it ``deplores the fact that some Member States still have a discriminatory age-of-consent provision for homosexual relations in their criminal codes as well as other forms of discrimination, in particular within the army.'' It noted with satisfaction that Britain is amending its laws to allow homosexuals to follow military careers.

The report also called on the 13 nations applying for EU membership to ensure equal rights for homosexuals.