At first, people said homosexuality is sin, then they said it is
a sickness, now they say it is a life-style choice. Now, the world
is slowly opening up to accept homosexual practices as a norm.
Would homosexual marriage one day be in Singapore? Would you find
it normal? What would the world be like in future?
. . . . . . . .
PARIS : Although it is one of the most divisive issues of the day,
homosexual marriages and other forms of same-sex partnerships are
gaining acceptance around the world.
Britain this month will become the fifth country to allow gay
'marriages' on roughly the same basis as heterosexual
marriages.
The Netherlands was the first nation to celebrate gay marriages in
April 2001, followed by Belgium in January, 2003, Canada in June
and Spain in July.
In the United States, Massachusetts recognizes gay marriage and the
California senate approved it before the bill was vetoed by
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Canada legalized gay marriages in June and has already discovered
one anomaly after a woman sued for divorce on the grounds of
adultery between her husband and another man. A Vancouver court
defined adultery as taking place only between men and women.
Gay marriages have thrown up other legal conundrums, including
establishing paternity of a child born in a lesbian wedlock.
Homosexual marriage in Spain, once one of the world's most
staunchly Roman Catholic nations, has called down fulminations from
the Vatican, but appears to be supported by a majority of
Spaniards, whether straight or gay.
In Britain, the establishment Church of England has refused to
celebrate same-sex unions, even though the gay marriage law comes
into effect on Monday.
In a first for Africa, South Africa's Constitutional Court ruled in
favour of same-sex marriages on Thursday and ordered parliament to
change "intolerant" laws within a year.
At a level lower than marriage, many countries recognize same-sex
civil unions, with no presumption of sexual involvement, for tax
and inheritance purposes.
Denmark was the first country to allow "registered partnerships" or
civil unions followed by the other main Nordic nations. France
recognizes a union between any two adults, whether man or woman, in
a Pact of Civil Solidarity (PACS). Portugal has had a similar
measure on the books since 2001, but Prime Minister Jose Socrates
has said his government will not consider gay marriage.
In the United States also, Vermont and Connecticut recognize
same-sex civil unions, while Hawaii, Maine, New Jersey and
California allow couples living together the same rights as married
couples.
But many countries reject any kind of union between homosexuals,
usually on religious grounds
Australia's conservative government passed legislation last year
that defined marriage as "a union between a man and a woman to the
exclusion of all others."
In India, homosexuality is an offence punishable by up to life in
prison, and there is no discussion of the issue. Same-sex marriages
are prohibited in China and Russia.
Japan also does not allow gay marriages and prohibits child
adoption by homosexuals, although gays can obtain some inheritance
and other family rights.
Thailand has a liberal attitude toward homosexuality, but not to
gay marriage. In other countries, such as Sri Lanka, Pakistan and
Afghanistan, it is simply out of the question.
Homosexual
