The World Turns

by on

Love makes the world go 'round, and the advance of gay unions around the globe (or at least the more civilized parts thereof) is a major shift forward. Note that the link is to a report in the conservative Washington Times, which not very long ago would only refer to gays getting hitched as "homosexual 'marriage'" (with the "m" word in quotes to signify its lack of legitimacy). Changing times, indeed.

6 Comments for “The World Turns”

  1. posted by Craig Nelson on

    Marriage across Europe “very soon” ?

    I don’t think so!

    There are only three possible mechanisms for Europe wide action on anything.

    1 All states agree spontaneously on a course of action. Unlikely – the EU alone has 27 countries some of them staunchly religious.

    2. The EU adopts a Directive (still has to be agreed by unanimity of member states and the EU Parliament) – but the EU doesn’t have competence in the definition of marriage.

    3 The European Court of Human Rights mandates the right to marriage – there is a case going through at the moment, however the ECHR has a doctrine of ‘margin of appreciation’ whereby it has regard to evolutions of practice across the Council of Europe.

    Although European countries will continue to adopt equal marriage (the latest being Norway – a non-EU country) and others will adopt some form of other partnership recognition such as Civil Partnerships I think the US will have uniform same-sex marriage before the EU or indeed any other continent.

  2. posted by Richard II on

    Indeed. Some European nations are more socially liberal, then others. Those that are more gay friendly, tend to have, compared to us, freer elections and active Social Democrats.

  3. posted by JimG on

    Richardll,

    I am curious to know what you mean by “freer elections”.

    Thanks.

  4. posted by Richard II on

    (1) More meaningful choices or (2) the real possibility of a strong third or fourth party.

  5. posted by Craig2 on

    It works out something like this:

    Relationship recognition: civil

    unions/partnerships or same sex

    marriage:

    United Kingdom, Norway, Sweden,

    Finland, Netherlands, Belgium,

    Spain, Denmark, Hungary, Czech

    Republic, Slovenia;

    Partial relationship reform:

    France (PACs);

    Inclusive adoption reform, reproductive technology access: United Kingdom, Norway, Sweden, Netherlands, Spain, Denmark, Belgium;

    Anti-discrimination laws: United Kingdom, Ireland, Italy, Greece, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, Hungary, Czech

    Republic, Slovenia, Croatia,

    Serbia, Kosovo, Spain, Portugal;

    Decriminalisation; All of Europe.

    Homophobic blackspots: Poland, Slovakia, Serbia, Greece, Italy;

    Hope that helps.

    Craig2

    Wellington, NZ

  6. posted by Craig2 on

    Re; Washington Times.

    If it is liberalising, then does that meam the Unification Church’s grip on it is receding? I find this surprising, given Sun Myung Moon’s record of rather vicious homophobic outbursts in the past.

    Craig2

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