A Parliamentary committee in the Netherlands recommended yesterday that full civil marriage and parenting rights be granted to same-sex couples.
They found that “same sex couples can only be afforded equal treatment if they are allowed to enter into civil marriage. These members do not view the new type of marriage as a break with tradition. After all, marriage has always been a flexible institution which kept pace with social change.”
The recommendation could be enacted in early 1998, at the same time that same-gender partner registration will go into effect. This registration will recognize couples but does not allow parental and adoption rights.
