Beginning January 1st the Austrian government will recognize same-sex civil unions. Austria’s parliament passed the new legislation permitting homosexual couples to enter into formal civil unions last week with a 110-64 vote.
Under the legislation, same-sex partners will receive many of the same financial benefits given to heterosexual married couples, but will not be permitted to adopt or receive fertility treatment.
The socially conservative Freedom Party argues the new legislation goes in opposition to the opinion of most Austrians, while the more liberal Greens argue it is too limited.
The Social Democratic Party has assured homosexual lobbyists that the new legislation is just a first step and that the party will be pushing to legalize same-sex marriages fully equivalent to traditional marriage.