Date: Fri, 7 Jun 1996 14:29:22 +0200 (MET DST) From: skolander@bahnhof.se (Bjoern Skolander) Subject: *M*: Iceland's Partnership Law (RFSL Press release) RFSL Press Release 7 June 1996 ICELAND INTRODUCES PARTNERSHIP GAYS GET RIGHT TO JOINT CUSTODY OF CHILDREN On June 4th the Icelandic Parliament Alltinget decided to introduce a Partnership Law, or in Icelandic terminology a law regarding 'confirmed co-existence'. The law corresponds mainly to the existing partnership laws in Sweden, Denmark and Norway. The main difference is that the Icelandic law makes it possible for a married gay couple to get joint custody of children (see note below). The law will come into force on June 27th, the so called Stonewall Day, which is the international day of gay liberation and pride. - We are very happy that the Icelanders now recognize gay love, says RFSL president Haakan Andersson. For the sake of the children it is important that the Icelandic law makes joint custody possible. Iceland has shown the way, and now we hope that Sweden and other countries follow. - When it comes to gays and children, Swedish politicians and authorities are guided by fear and ignorance. Many children have today openly gay parents, and all international research indicates unequivocally, that gay men and lesbians are as good as parents as others are. In spite of that politicians do not dare to give us the right to joint parentage. Of the Nordic countries only Finland has not yet introduced a partnership law. An animated discussion of the question is right now going on there, and Prime Minister Paavo Lipponen has supported the demand to introduce a partnership law. According to a poll by the esteemed Finnish institute Taloustutkimus 67 percent of the Finns are of the opinion that a partnership law should be introduced. Translated by Bjoern Skolander NOTE: The partners' right to joint custody is according to earlier information restricted to each other's biological children, and does not include a general right to adoption. This reform is however, an important step forward compared to the Danish model. /Bjoern S. ****************************************************************************** * To subscribe to MARRIAGE, send mail to: majordomo@abacus.oxy.edu * * In the mail message, enter ONLY the words: subscribe marriage * * To unsubscribe to MARRIAGE, send mail to: majordomo@abacus.oxy.edu * * In the mail message, enter ONLY the words: unsubscribe marriage * * Words in the Subject: line are NOT processed! * ******************************************************************************