MONDAY
March 19, 2001
volume 12, no. 78

    LISBON, Portugal, MAR. 18, 2001 (Zenit.org).- Lawmakers have granted legal rights and tax benefits to homosexual couples who have lived together for more than two years, the Ananova agency reported.

    Homosexual couples will be allowed the same rights as heterosexual couples in common law marriages.

    The bill has passed on the votes of a majority of left-of-center politicians in the 230-seat National Assembly, Portugal's parliament, while right-of-center parties opposed the bill.

    In 1999 a majority of politicians, including some from the governing left-of-center Socialist Party, balked at a proposal to incorporate same-sex relationships in new legislation on common law marriages.

    Changes to the bill, including a deal on taxes, persuaded more Socialists to approve it. ZE01031821

March 19, 2001 volume 12, no. 78 Pro Life News www.DailyCatholic.org