Czech parliament
votes to discuss legislation on same-sex partnerships

The lower chamber of the Czech parliament voted Friday to discuss a draft law that would grant some legal rights to same-sex partners, an official said. Eighty-two of the 107 deputies present voted to allow the draft to go to a second reading; nine were against it, and 16 abstained, said Anna Stepkova, a spokeswoman for the legislature. If enacted, the legislation would allow couples who register their union with authorities to enjoy rights in areas such as inheritance and health care that are similar to those granted now to heterosexual married couples. The draft, which will be now discussed in the chamber's committees, does not allow marriage or adoption of children by same-sex partners. Lawmakers have turned down similar proposals several times in the past. It was rejected by a majority of just one vote in the last vote on the issue February 11. It was not immediately clear when the final vote on the proposal could be expected. A number of other European countries already have recognized same-sex unions. (AP)