Beginning in 2010, traditionally conservative Austria will provide state recognition to same-sex civil unions. The new legislation was approved last week in a compromise between the two leading parties and provides same-sex couples with most of the rights of married couples, including financial benefits such as tax, pension and maintenance. There are 37 points of distinction, however, between the civil unions and married couples, the most important of which are limitations on adoption and artificial insemination.
The law has received heavy criticism from conservatives, while many LGBT activists see it merely as a temporary stepping-stone to state recognized same-sex marriage. “I think this is something we will keep under discussion,” said the leading party’s chancellor Werner Faymann. For more information, you can read the full article at the Irish Times.