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'It's a relief, a big success and a reward for two decades of lobbying'
Austria has allowed same-sex civil unions
Austria legalises same-sex civil unions
Austria's parliament has approved a bill to allow same-sex couples to enter into civil unions, with the legislation taking effect from January 1.
It provides many of the rights enjoyed by heterosexual couples, including social security claims, access to a pension if one partner dies, inheritance and alimony, but will not allow the adoption of children or the use of artificial insemination or IVF.
In a compromise between the governing coalition, the legislation did not pass unanimously, with Associated Press reporting 110 of the 174 National Council members voting in favour and 64 against. The opposition right-wing Freedom Party rejected it outright, with its leader Heinz-Christian Strache describing the bill as counter to the view of most Austrians and a threat to the institution of marriage.
But Justice Minister Claudia Bandion-Ortner said: "We are living in the 21st century and I'm very glad this step is being taken today," and Gabriele Heinisch-Hosek, a Social Democrat who is the minister for women's affairs, described it as "the first step in the right direction".
Christian Hoegl, co-president of the Homosexual Initiative Vienna, Austria's longest-established gay rights group, said: "It's a relief, a big success and a reward for two decades of lobbying."
