Germany, Europe Move Toward Gay Marriage

In Finland, meanwhile, officials plan to legalize homosexual unions as other Nordic countries have already done, officials say.

The German Parliament, which has a veto on all legislation connected to tax and financial matters, voted down some sections of the new law on homosexual unions. Campaigners say these proposals would have ended tax discrimination against homosexual couples.

The German law comes into effect Jan. 1, but the first registered office ceremony is not expected until June at the earliest. Members of the Bavaria-based CSU (Christian Social Union) have called the new rules the greatest attack on the institution of marriage in decades, BBC said.

In conservative regions such as Bavaria, authorities have suggested that homosexual couples might tie the knot at district council offices, which handle everyday business including vehicle registration.

Under the regulations, couples can take the same surname, share household insurance and act as the next of kin in key medical decisions, the news agency reported. The relationships will have legal recognition, and the rules will extend to foreigners, BBC said. But the right to adopt children was excluded.

The Bundesrat also voted down key financial provisions that would have ended discrimination on the basis of sexuality over income and inheritance tax laws, the BBC said.

In Helsinki, the Finnish government accepted a proposal by the Justice Ministry on Wednesday to give legal status to homosexual relationships, and will begin discussing the issue in Parliament in December, according to Reuters.

But some parties are expected to be split on the matter when the legislation comes to a vote next year, the news agency said. A similar bill was narrowly defeated by Parliament in 1996.

The law would give homosexual couples many of the same legal rights and responsibilities as heterosexual couples, but such unions would not have the status of marriage, nor would it allow homosexual couples to adopt children, Reuters said.

If the law is passed, this country of 5 million will follow in the footsteps of Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Iceland, all of which have legalized homosexual relationships. The Netherlands and the U.S. state of Vermont have already approved laws giving legal status to homosexual unions. Canada is debating similar proposals.