The European Parliament has declared that official documents such as marriage, civil union, birth, and death certificates must be recognized by all members of the European Union

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The parliament of Tasmania agreed to approve of same sex marriages and civil unions of all countries and other Australian states.

attorney general Lara Giddings said, “This is really a small step, but a significant and important step for those people who have registered or been through a civil union process elsewhere around the world and want us to recognise that relationship as indeed being in existence.”

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According to sources, “The Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Bill 2009 was passed in the Dail on 1 July 2010 and was passed by the Seanad on 8 July 2010 by a vote of 48-4. It will now either be signed by the President or be referred by her in whole or in part, after consultation with the Council of State, to the Supreme Court for a ruling on its constitutionality. If approved by the Court the President must sign the Bill.”

If and when approved, civil unions for same-sex couples will be able to legally commit to each other in 2011.

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UPDATE: Unfortunately its a NO for Civil Unions in the Aloha State.  Governor Linda Lingle VETOED Civil Unions today and stated her reason:

Gov. Lingle stated, a civil union “is essentially ‘marriage’ by another name,” adding, “I want to be clear that my personal opinion is not the basis” for her decision; Lingle does not personally believe gay marriage should be legal. There is no piece of legislation she has thought “more deeply about” than HB 444, but ultimately it is voters and not lawmakers who should have the final say. I feel very comfortable with my decision.”

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For adoption, it is legal for Gay and Lesbian couples to adopt children and has been done so since 2006 when a Lesbian couple first adopted a child.

What needs to decrease everywhere, but especially in Brazil is that the S. American country leads in the most Gay murders in the world. According to Grupo Gay da Bahia (GGG, Bahia Gay Group), the number of people who are murdered because they are Gay is up, 198 murders in 2009, compared to 189 in 2008. Brazil leads the world in homosexual victims of murders. Mexico comes second (35 deaths) followed by the United States (25 deaths).

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A man and a man, or woman and a woman walk into the county clerk’s office and they, well really don’t get anything.

To organize a will, benefits, and other legal protections could cost thousands, and that just the beginning. The Chicago Tribune featured the Wax-Pooley Family. Unlike the majority of heterosexual couples, they had to pay $10,000 USD for using wills, trusts, and powers of attorney (the protections a $40 marriage could afford). This family knew it was important to do this since they are parents to toddler twins who need to be protected as well.  Similar situation happened to the Walker-Ferguson Family-a Lesbian couple who are expecting (Melissa Walker is pregnant) and Erin Ferguson needs to spend $2,000 to adopt the child so they are both legally parents.

Whats common between these two couples is that they are doing it for the best interest of their partners and their children. In regards to protecting the family, homosexual couples are the same as heterosexual couples, yet, because of unfair recognition, there is a clear story here of inequality.

On Dec 10th, 2009, Austria’s parliament passed legislation that will allow same-sex couples to enter into civil unions in the New Year.

What does this mean? Click ‘more’

Same-sex couples will be granted many of the rights enjoyed by their heterosexual counterparts, including access to a pension if one partner dies and alimony in the event of a divorce.

Austrian Justice Minister Claudia Bandion-Ortner stated, ”We are living in the 21st century and I’m very glad this step is being taken today.”

Glückwünsche!

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On January 3, 2010 fashion designer Marc Jacobs and his partner Lorenzo Martone were married in a civil ceremony in France.

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On this coming New Year, New Hampshire will allow same-sex marriages and current NH civil unions will emerge from their cocoon and will transform to the beautiful butterfly of marriage.  Hopefully the ‘Mother of Rivers’ state will cascade it’s trend throughout the riverbeds of the entire U.S.  For more info click HERE

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