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U.N. wants to recognize gay partners
RugerNiner
Member Posts: 12,636 ✭✭✭
UN takes step towards recognizing gay partners
By Evelyn Leopold, Reuters
UNITED NATIONS, Jan 29 (Reuters) - The United Nations took a cautious step on Thursday in recognizing gay and unmarried heterosexual partnerships by deciding to grant health and other benefits to staff if their home country allows it.
Although a relatively small number of staff would be affected, the administrative order by Secretary-General Kofi Annan could lead to a muddle, with some wondering why standards differ according to nationalities and some General Assembly members questioning the entire action, diplomats said.
But Susan Allee, a founding member of GLOBE, the Gay and Lesbian or Bisexual Employees at the United Nations, said her group was "thrilled" at the announcement.
"It is a step toward acknowledgment that there is great diversity in the staff of the United Nations," said Allee, an American and an expert on Lebanon in the U.N. peacekeeping department.
According to a bulletin Annan issued on Jan. 20 but not released until Thursday, the United Nations would request permission from the country of origin of the staff member "to confirm the existence and validity of the domestic partnership contracted by the staff member under the law of that country."
U.N. spokesman Farhan Haq said the new ruling, which comes into force on Sunday, would have a great impact on unmarried heterosexual couples rather than gays.
While the Netherlands, Belgium and two Canadian provinces permit same-sex marriage, throughout Scandinavia governments offer extensive nonmarital partnership rights for gay and straight citizens, and less comprehensive rights are offered in most Western European nations, Australia and New Zealand.
In the United States, the federal government would be asked for a ruling, and U.N. officials assumed the answer would be "no." At the U.S. mission to the United Nations, an official told Reuters, "We just become aware of this proposal and we will look at it and subsequently provide a more definite response."
01/30/04 12:03 ET
Remember...Terrorist are attacking Civilians; Not the Government. Protect Yourself!
http://www.awbansunset.com/
By Evelyn Leopold, Reuters
UNITED NATIONS, Jan 29 (Reuters) - The United Nations took a cautious step on Thursday in recognizing gay and unmarried heterosexual partnerships by deciding to grant health and other benefits to staff if their home country allows it.
Although a relatively small number of staff would be affected, the administrative order by Secretary-General Kofi Annan could lead to a muddle, with some wondering why standards differ according to nationalities and some General Assembly members questioning the entire action, diplomats said.
But Susan Allee, a founding member of GLOBE, the Gay and Lesbian or Bisexual Employees at the United Nations, said her group was "thrilled" at the announcement.
"It is a step toward acknowledgment that there is great diversity in the staff of the United Nations," said Allee, an American and an expert on Lebanon in the U.N. peacekeeping department.
According to a bulletin Annan issued on Jan. 20 but not released until Thursday, the United Nations would request permission from the country of origin of the staff member "to confirm the existence and validity of the domestic partnership contracted by the staff member under the law of that country."
U.N. spokesman Farhan Haq said the new ruling, which comes into force on Sunday, would have a great impact on unmarried heterosexual couples rather than gays.
While the Netherlands, Belgium and two Canadian provinces permit same-sex marriage, throughout Scandinavia governments offer extensive nonmarital partnership rights for gay and straight citizens, and less comprehensive rights are offered in most Western European nations, Australia and New Zealand.
In the United States, the federal government would be asked for a ruling, and U.N. officials assumed the answer would be "no." At the U.S. mission to the United Nations, an official told Reuters, "We just become aware of this proposal and we will look at it and subsequently provide a more definite response."
01/30/04 12:03 ET
Remember...Terrorist are attacking Civilians; Not the Government. Protect Yourself!http://www.awbansunset.com/
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