In Switzerland, homosexual couples are able to gain legal recognition with civil partnerships. They have been able to get most of the same rights as married heterosexual couples have regarding property, next of kin, and inheritance. This article isn't about those rights though, it covers a major hole in the rights of civilly partnered gay and lesbian couples. Gays and Lesbians are not allowed to adopt children as couples in Switzerland. This is a controversial and confusing legislation because homosexuals are allowed to adopt as individuals.
Here in America, there also is controversy over whether or not gays should be allowed to marry. In this article, the author quotes a group that feels that gay marriage devalues the institution. That argument is used often by American anti-gay rights groups. I was surprised by the Swiss law. To me it seems absurd that the couples are denied the right to adopt as couples, when it's perfectly alright for a single gay or lesbian person to adopt. I can only see how this would lead to traumatic circumstances for the children if a something would happen to one of the parents in a gay civil partnership. I can really see why it is so important that gays in America be allowed to marry instead of just being given recognition through civil unions. In Switzerland gays are not allowed to marry, but they are given Civil Partnerships. While this seems like a good deal, it isn’t a marriage, and therefore does not give the same rights to same sex couples.
My vision of Switzerland was one of fairly liberal ideals. I see Switzerland as a very progressive country, in regards to human rights. I would think that a country that has fairly liberal marijuana legislation would be even more liberal with its Human Rights legislation. I am surprised that a country that uses direct democracy would still be battling with giving all of its citizens equal rights.
The article analyzed is written by Clare O'Dea and can be found at
http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/swiss_news/Gay_parents_discover_limits_of_partnership.html?cid=31765058
It's surprising to me that a western European nation would find difficulty in passing civil rights legislation. I was under the impression that most of Europe was progressive enough on social issues to push through laws like these.
ReplyDeleteThis is very surprising to me as well. It seems to almost not make any sense. To assume that a homosexual couple is not capable of taking care of children, where as any other couple can, and even a single homosexual person is allowed? Seems arbitrary of Switzerland, and something inconsistent with how Switzerland is viewed by the world.
ReplyDeleteI listened to the interview with the two women talking about the consequences of this ruling, and agree that there is a major disconnect between allowing same sex civil unions or marriages, but not allowing the same rights as for mixed sex couples. I agree that is inconsistent.
ReplyDeleteIn the US we are also struggling with this issue. Some states allow marriage, some allow civil union, some allow same sex couples to adopt children, others still have sodomy laws on the books.
I really don't understand why they think it's ok for a single homosexual to adopt rather than a homosexual couple? It would make more sense for the child to be brought into a home with two parents rather than just one.
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