Civil Unions
A civil union, also referred to as a civil partnership, is a legally recognized form of partnership similar to marriage. Civil unions are not seen as a replacement for marriage by many in the gay community, and are commonly criticised as being “separate but equal.” Marriage equality advocates say civil unions segregate same-sex couples by forcing them to use a separate institution.
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Two ex-nuns just got a civil union in Italy and the media went nuts
Thursday, September 29, 2016The women, one from southern Italy and the other of South American origins, fell in love while working at a rehabilitation center for drug addicts. -
Man who helped lesbian kidnap child from ex-partner goes to trial
Monday, September 12, 2016Prosecutors allege he helped a woman and her daughter flee the country rather than share custody of the girl with the woman's former partner. -
Aruba Parliament approves civil unions for same-sex couples
Saturday, September 10, 2016Same-sex couples now have the right to register their unions and receive benefits granted to married people on the Dutch Caribbean island. -
Italy joins rest of Europe in giving rights to gay couples
Thursday, May 12, 2016Italy was the last of the European Union's 28 nations to grant legal recognition to civil unions. -
Italy Senate OKs civil unions, but LGBT groups angered over adoption snub
Saturday, February 27, 2016Gay and lesbian groups denounced the watered-down legislation as a betrayal because Renzi’s Democratic Party sacrificed a provision to allow same-sex adoption in order to ensure passage. -
Italy: Lower House approves motion on same-sex civil unions
Thursday, June 11, 2015The motion commits the government "to promote the adoption of a law on civil unions, particularly with regard to the condition of the people of same sex". -
Costa Rica judge grants first openly gay common-law marriage in Central America
Wednesday, June 3, 2015Along with being the first legal recognition of a same-sex relationship in Central America, the decision could set an example for judges elsewhere in the country to recognize gay relationships and even adoption. -
Chilean president signs same‑sex civil union law
Monday, April 13, 2015Chilean President Michelle Bachelet on Monday signed a law that recognizes civil unions between same-sex couples, a sign of change in a country long regarded as one South America's most socially conservative nations. -
Costa Rica government plans legislation to allow same-sex civil unions
Thursday, March 19, 2015Costa Rica will put forth a plan this week to allow civil unions between same-sex couples in the Central American nation. -
Peru rejects civil unions bill after Catholic bishop calls gay lawmaker a ‘faggot’
Wednesday, March 11, 2015Lawmaker Carlos Bruce said he was disappointed a representative of the Catholic Church, "apparently lacking arguments, now resorts to insults.”
Further Reading
Alabama's antigay chief justice Roy Moore suspended for rest of his term (again)
Two ex-nuns just got a civil union in Italy and the media went nuts
Opposing same-sex marriage will cost Kansas $295k
Majority of Australians support marriage equality, don't want national vote
Gay music director fired from Catholic church because he's married
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