A proposed law in the Netherlands would give same-sex marriages the nearly identical legal status heterosexual marriages. Lesbian and gay couples would not, however, be allowed to adopt children. The proposal has broad backing in parliament and is expected to become law in early 1998. Though lesbian and gay rights advocates hail the law as a significant step, they are continuing to lobby for adoption rights.
In the United States, a Honolulu judge has ordered the state of Hawaii to issue same-sex couple marriage licenses. The ruling is now on hold while authorities appeal it. In September, President Clinton signed a federal law allowing states to refuse to recognize homosexual marriage licenses issued in other states and stating clearly that the federal government does not recognize same-sex marriages.
