Estonia on Thursday became the first ex-Soviet republic to recognise civil partnerships for same-sex couples as parliament narrowly passed a controversial law that also paved the way for adoption rights.
The
Cohabitation Act passed with 40 in favour and 38 against in the 101-member
parliament, but several other laws must be amended before it can take effect.
Similar
civil partnership laws apply in 14 other European countries.
The
measure, which was launched by 41 legislators from various parties, has stirred
intense controversy across the Baltic country of 1.3 million people.
A recent
EMOR poll suggested that two-thirds of Estonians reject the measure, despite
the fact that Estonia has one of Europe's highest percentages of self-declared
atheists.
"In
Soviet society everyone who was different was an enemy - some because of their
sexuality, which was even punishable," parliamentary speaker Eiki Nestor
told AFP.
"The
fact that this law has passed in itself will make society more tolerant."
The
legislation confers all legal rights of heterosexual marriage - including
allowing same-sex couples to adopt children.
A person
can adopt the biological child of his or her registered partner. It also
contains a provision allowing same-sex couples who are both infertile to adopt.
The measure
stands in stark contrast to the anti-gay measures and political rhetoric in
other formerly Soviet countries, most notably Russia.
Estonia
broke free from nearly half a century under the Soviet thumb in 1990 and went
on to join the European Union and NATO in 2004.
Gay rights
activist Rain Uusen applauded the fact that same-sex couples registered under
the law would now have the same spousal rights of heterosexual couples on
crucial matters like legal issues and health.
But
protesters from the Foundation for the Protection of Family and Tradition,
backed by similar US organisations and Catholic groups, have led a vocal
opposition campaign arguing the law would "disfigure the moral basis of
our society".
Supporters
of the law including local celebrities launched a Facebook campaign that scored
over 17 000 likes. They also handed out thousands of flowers to MPs in the
parliament building asking for their vote.
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