Date: Sun, 28 Jan 1996 18:59:58 +0000 (WET) From: Coordinadora Gai-Lesbiana I really thank to for the translation into English of this press release. I will usually try to send messages in English version, but since some weeks ago I am too busy for the translation. If anyone is interested or is able to help me in translating from Spanish into English it will be very helpfull. Thanks in advanced. Pere Cruells ----------------------------------------------------------------------- PRESS NOTICE Another law in Spain recognizes de-facto couples [in English the conceptual equivalent would be common law marriage, I believe] 1995 was a good year for gays and lesbians living in Spain. After the law of Urban Arrangements in which de-facto couples were recognized regardless of their sexual orientation, a new penal code was approved that penalizes discrimination on the basis of sex, ethnicity, etc., including also sexual orientation, we finish the year with another law that recognizes homosexual couples. This time it is dealt with in the law of aid and assistance for victims of violent crime and against sexual liberty. In Ch.1, art 2, sec 3a of this law where it specifies who can be the beneficiaries of aid for spousal injuries, the text states: The spouse of injured person, if not legally separated, or the person who shares live with the injured one in a permanent manner effectively analagous to a spousal relationship, regardless of sexual orientation, for at least two years prior to the time of the injurry, unless they are related, in which case it will be considered mere living together. This law as with the law of Urban Arrangements previously mentioned demonstrates more evidence of the lack of a law of de-facto couples. Actually the Spanish government has proposed a law but because general elections are coming soon it is impossible that this law will be approved during this legislature. For this reason, in the campaign for the Vota Rosa (Vote Pink), which we are organizing because of these elections, several of the points that we are calling for which will be included in the electoral programs of the parties that are presented with reference to the law of de-facto couples that we hope to enact soon. Pere Cruells Gay and Lesbian Rights Commission _________________________________________________________________________ | Coordinadora Gai-Lesbiana | voice: 34-3-237 08 69 | | C/ les Carolines, 13 | fax: 34-3-218 11 91 | | 08012 Barcelona | hot line: 900 601 601 (from Spain) | | Catalunya | 34-3-237 70 70 (rest of the world)| | Spain | e-mail: cogailes@pangea.org | |___________________________|_____________________________________________|