Netherlands: Lesbians, gays can marry, The

Off Our Backs, Oct 2000 by Eastlick, Megan, Roberson, Amaya

THE HAGUE-The lower house of the Netherlands' parliament has voted 10933 to allow lesbians and gays to many. While the Netherlands already allows lesbians and gays to register their partnerships, as do Norway, Sweden, and Denmark, this would be the first country to allow lesbians and gays to many on the same basis as heterosexuals. They would divorce in the same manner as heterosexuals. The only exception -- and it is a strange one -- is that lesbian and gay couples would be allowed to adopt only Dutch children, not children from other countries.

The upper house of the parliament still must approve the bill, but that is considered only a formality; members of that chamber have not voiced any opposition. Only a few small Christian parties in the lower house opposed the bill. Even some members of the Christian Democratic Alliance, the largest opposition party, expressed support.

The bill is expected to be signed into law and to take effect early next year.

info from Washington Post, 9/13 and New York Times, 9/13