Date: Mon, 19 Dec 1994 21:21:35 +0100 (NFT) From: Bj|rn Skolander Subject: Icelandic Partnership Reform - One Step Closer Source: KOM UT 1994/6 Haukur F. Hannesson In Iceland a commission set up by the Icelandic Parliament, Alltinget, has completed a report on the situation of gay men and lesbians in Iceland. According to the Alltinget's instructions the commission's task was "To examine the legal, cultural, and social situation of gays, as well as to propose measures to abolish discrimination of homosexuals in Iceland." The majority of the commission suggests that Iceland prepares a Partnership Law after the model of Denmark, Norway and Sweden. Further the majority proposes, that a law against discrimination of gay men and lesbians is introduced, and that information and education about homosexuality in Icelandic schools is increased substantially. The minority of the commission, consisting of the Icelandic Gay and Lesbian rights organisation Samto"kin 78's two delegates, Lana Kolbrun Eddudottir and Gudni Baldursson, agree with the majority, but want to go further. They suggest that the partnership law becomes equivalent to heterosexual marriage, and that the law therefore should include the right to adoption and church marriage. They also advocate a more far-reaching discimination protection compared to the majority's anti-discrimination proposal. The Icelandic government has discussed the report and forwarded it to the concerned departments for further discussion.