Germany debates 'gay marriage'

Same-sex couples to get legal status

By Rob Broomby in Berlin

The upper chamber of the German Parliament, the Bundesrat, is to debate proposals which campaigners say would give legal recognition to same-sex relationships.

Campaigners, who have described it as a gay-marriage law, say it will give same-sex relationships 90% of the rights of married couples.

Proposed bill

Couples allowed to register at a town hall

Sharing of same name

Joint tax returns

Partner considered next-of-kin in medical matters

Obligation to support unemployed partner

The key proposals allowing for the legal recognition of same-sex relationships have already passed through the lower chamber, the Bundestag, and are certain to become law.

But the Bundesrat - where the Red-Green government has no majority - could reject some parts of the legislation, in effect watering it down.

'Provocative copy'

Taken as a whole, the bills would grant new rights allowing couples to register at a Town Hall or registry office, share the same name and fill in a joint tax return.

They would also be considered as the next-of-kin in medical matters.

The rights have also been extended to foreign relationships.

But it also comes with the obligation to support an unemployed partner, and the right to adopt children has been excluded.

Nonetheless, opposition in conservative regions has been most vocal, with Norbert Geiss, legal spokesman of the Christian Democrat and CSU parliamentary group, calling the proposed institution a provocative copy of marriage, and the worst attack on the institution in decades.

To head off the risk of total defeat, the backers have split the proposals into two bills as the Bundesrat can vote down matters relating to tax and finance.

The debate will be fierce, but even if the second chamber rejects one bill, the legal status of gay and lesbian relationships will have been established.

Campaigners are preparing to celebrate.