Recognition of gay unions in Hungary
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Same-sex marriages are currently not legal in Hungary, but registered partnerships can be created from 1 January 2009. Unregistered cohabitation was recognized in 1996.
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[edit] Unregistered partnerships
The law applies to couples living together in an economic and sexual relationship, including opposite-sex and same-sex couples. No official registration is required. The law gives some specified rights and benefits to two persons living together, these rights include hospital visitation and access to medical information, right to make decision about the deceased partners' funeral, widow's pension, immigration rights, etc. Some of these benefits require an official statement from the social department of the local government that proves that the partners are indeed cohabiting.
[edit] Same sex marriage
In Autumn 2007, the liberal Alliance of Free Democrats (SZDSZ), part of the governing coalition since the 2002 elections, presented a draft bill to the Parliament's Human Rights committee. This would have allowed for full same-sex marriage by defining marriage as between two persons over the age of 18.[1] On 6 November 2007, Parliament rejected the bill without debate. Opponents of the bill pointed to a Constitutional Court ruling a few months earlier that defined the institution of marriage as a bond between a man and a woman.[[2]]
[edit] Registered Partnerships
The Government, comprising SZDSZ and the Hungarian Socialist Party (MSZP), then submitted a bill to Parliament that would introduce registered partnerships for both same-sex and opposite-sex couples. This was defined by the SZDSZ as a first step to the opening up of marriage. The law would give the same rights to registered partners as to spouses except for adoption and taking the other's name. The Christian Democrats, KDNP, refused to support the bill; center right wing Alliance of Free Democrats (MDF) announced it would vote for it if certain amendments were accepted. Leading right wing opposition party Hungarian Civic Union (FIDESZ) didn't support it.
[edit] Final vote
| FOR | AGAINST | |
|---|---|---|
| 164 | 4 | MSZP (Hungarian Socialist Party) |
| 18 | 0 | SZDSZ (Alliance of Free Democrats–The Hungarian Liberal Party) |
| 3 | 3 | MDF (Hungarian Democratic Forum) |
| 0 | 128 | FIDESZ (Hungarian Civic Union) |
| 0 | 18 | KDNP (Christian Democratic People's Party) |
| 185 | 154 | TOTAL |
On December 17, 2007 the Parliament adopted the registered partnership bill submitted by the MSZP-SZDSZ Government. Starting January 1, 2009, both same-sex and opposite-sex couples can enter into registered partnerships. The law gives the same rights to registered partners as to spouses except for;
[edit] Opinion polls
Several opinion polls have been conducted to gauge the attitudes of Hungary residents on the issue. A Eurobarometer released in December 2006 found that 18% agreed that "homosexual marriages should be allowed throughout Europe". [3] A poll by Medián conducted in July 2007 showed that 30% considered it "acceptable if same sex couples can get married. [4] A poll by MASMI published in December 2007 showed 35% in favour of "allowing homosexuals to get married". [5]
[edit] See also
- LGBT rights in Hungary
- LGBT rights by country
- Timeline of LGBT history
- Homosexuality laws of the world
- Marriage, unions and partnerships by country
[edit] Notes
[edit] External links
- (English) Hungarian liberals to push for same-sex marriage
- (English) Detailed description of cohabition on the website of the government
- (Hungarian) Constitutional Court decision opening up unregistered cohabitation to same sex couples
- (Hungarian) Bill on registered partnership introduced in Parliament
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