VIENNA — Austria’s parliament approved legalizing civil unions in the country Thursday, an move considered a historic victory for gay rights in the central European country.
Out of 174 lawmakers present, 110 voted in favor and 64 voted against, Associated Press reports.
The law is due to come into force on January 1st. It will provide gay couples with some of the rights and benefits enjoyed by heterosexual couples, including rights to social security claims and inheritance.
But it’s not all good news.
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The new bill formally bans the adoption of children or artificial insemination for same-sex couples. And, gay couples will not be able to hold their ceremonies at civil registry offices, as heterosexual couples do. Instead, they will have to register at the municipal office or the magistrate’s office.
