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Equality - Marriage Equality in our world - Belgium On January 30, 2003, Belgium became the second country to open marriage to same-sex couples (marriages are expected to begin June 16, 2021 in the city of Ghent). It is not a separate regime or process. Gays and lesbian couples share in the same marriage legislation as opposite-sex couples. However, important related legislation, regarding adoption in Belgium, was not harmonized with the new marriage law. "In spite of the very symbolic value of this law and the positive signal it sends to the gay community ... it remains blatantly hypocritical in one respect: a single person can adopt a child, but not a homosexual couple," said Belgium's Socialist deputy Karine Lalieux.
Douglas Elliott, president of the International Lesbian and Gay Law Association (and a partner in the firm that is fighting for our right to marriage), agrees. He believes the work of Belgium prime minister Guy Verhofstadt was instrumental in pushing the issue over the opposition from the country's Catholics and extreme right: "Belgium's action is a tremendous step forward. It is the second country in the world to have its government legally recognize same sex marriage. It is in a country with a majority of Catholics, too, that has historically been far more conservative than the Netherlands. Rather than Holland being the odd man out, a trend is being created. As a former resident of that other delightful bilingual kingdom, I can only say, 'Vive Verhofstadt et vive la Belgique!' " Beginning Feb 6, 2004, , the Belgian state will recognise marriages between non-Belgian gay couples provided at least on partner lives in or visits the country regularly. The Belgian Bill (PDF document) |
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