Civil union

A civil union is one of several terms for a civil status similar to marriage, typically created for the purposes of allowing same-sex couples access to the benefits enjoyed by married opposite-sex couples (see also same-sex marriage); it can also be used by opposite-sex couples who do not prefer to enter into the legal institution of marriage but who would rather be in a union more similar to a common-law marriage.

New Zealand

On 9 December 2004 the New Zealand Parliament passed the Civil Union Bill, establishing civil unions for same-sex and opposite-sex couples. The debate over Civil Unions was highly divisive in New Zealand, inspiring great public emotion both for and against the passing, and in the build up to the vote, there were many widespread instances of anti-gay and lesbian attacks, protests and rallies as a way of dissuading public favour. Many Christian and civic groups conducted organised campaigns against the Bill, but several Christian organisations also organised campaigns in favour of the Bill. The Civil Union Act came into effect on 26 April 2005 with the first unions able to occur from Friday 29 April 2005.

Related Topics:
9 December - 2004 - New Zealand - Parliament - 26 April - 2005 - 29 April

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

See also Brian Tamaki.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~