Estonia passes gay partnership law

Iafrica – AFP, Thu, 09 Oct 2014

Photo of the rainbow flag symbolising gay pride.  

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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