Civil union in Iceland

Registered partnerships for gay and lesbian couples were introduced in Iceland in 1996.

The legislation grants the full range of protections, responsibilities and benefits as marriage, and is only available to same-sex couples. A registered partner can adopt the other partner’s child, unless the child is adopted from a foreign country. All parties in Alþingi, the Icelandic parliament, were in favour of the law; only one member of the conservative Independence Party ("Sjálfstæðisflokkurinn") voted against it.

On June 2, 2006 the Parliament voted for legislation granting the same-sex couples the same rights as heterosexuals in adoption, parenting and assisted insemination treatment. No member of the parliament voted against the proposal. The law came into effect on June 27, 2006. [ [http://www.samtokin78.is/?Pageid=2 Samtökin] ]

A law amendment which took force on June 27, 2008 allows the Church of Iceland and other religious groups to bless same-sex registered partnerships. [ [http://www.icelandreview.com/icelandreview/daily_news/?cat_id=16539&ew_0_a_id=308516 First Lesbian Couple in Iceland “Marries” in Church] ]

A government committee is currently looking into allowing same-sex partners to get married.

References