Date: Mon, 28 Sep 1998 13:00:09 -0700 (PDT) From: "Gerald Pilz" Subject: New hope for gays and lesbians in Germany The government of Chancellor Kohl has lost the federal election on Sunday. It is the end of a 16 year period of the conservative government. The challenger Gerhard SchrF6der will be the new chancellor of Germany. His party, the Social Democrats, achieved 40.9 percent of the votes. It is probable that the SPD will build up a coalition with the Green party (6.7 percent of votes). Both parties have promised to introduce more rights for gays and lesbians (a broad anti-discrimination legislation, a registered partnership or - as the Green party proposes - full same-sex marriage - and a better legal protection for gay and lesbian asylum-seekers and binational couples). The political program of the Green party is more comprehensive (full same-sex marriage, adoption rights, equal rights for unmarried gay or straight couples etc.). The following is an excerpt of the political agenda for gays and lesbians of the Social Democratic party (first my English translation then the German original text): Achieving societal equality particularly in labor relations Homosexuality is still often a taboo or discriminated against in many parts of the society, particularly in labor relations and in careers. For this reason many lesbians and gays are still forced to hide their identity at workplace. We show our commitment to a law for equal treatment. It should imply provisions against discrimination of gays and lesbians in private issues and include measurements to combat discrimination efficiently (class file action of organizations, compensation and action for default). Moreover existing anti-discrimination laws and ordinances in the fields of labor law and the administrative law (law of the civil servants) should add sexual orientation as a new criterion. Lesbian women often face a double discrimination at workplace and in society. It is their particular interest to emphasize the requirements of women in our social security system and to guarantee the social security of single mothers with children. The public administration as an employer must promote the acceptance of an open gay lifestyle. Experiences in some of the German provinces prove that the establishment of special divisions for gays and lesbian issues (in ministries) contribute crucially to reducing discrimination against gays and lesbians. This strengthens a societal climate of acceptance towards homosexuals. New approaches of living together Homosexuals - in comparison to straight couples - have no possibility of marrying and of having the same rights and obligations. We Social Democrats are of the opinion that long-lasting same-sex couples and partnerships should be protected by the state. Even after years of a relationship these partners are considered to be not related. In the circumstances of an accident or a disease they are not asked or informed. Often they cannot enter a lease (contract) after the death of the partner or they are not accepted as a legal heir of the estate. Difficulties often are that the partner is not covered by a mutual pension program and that there is not a joint custody right for children. The SPD wants to put an end to this disreputable situation. We want to give same-sex couples the same legal possibilities of forming their partnership, as straight couples have them. Therefore we support the introduction of a legal construction (institute) implying comparable rights and obligations like marriage. Support of binational partnerships Alien partners of lesbians and gays, who have not a nationality of the European Union, will receive a secure residence permit. The German partner will have the same obligations like a spouse. --- RON BUCKMIRE http://abacus.oxy.edu/~ron/ Asst. Prof., Math Dept., Occidental College, 1600 Campus Road, L.A., CA 90041 ron@abacus.oxy.edu||+1 213 259 2536 (v)||+1 213 259 2958 (f)||Gore-Boxer 2000 Look for it in the