Amsterdam - A Dutch parliamentary committee yesterday gave its support to same-sex marriage and child adoption by gay couples. The recommendations, which could become law as soon as early next year, would put the Netherlands at the forefront of international gay rights. The committee's decision received a warm welcome from gay pressure groups.
"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 has kept pace with social change," the committee's statement said. It argued the proposals might inspire other countries to follow suit.
Sweden and Norway already recognise homosexual and lesbian partnerships in terms of property ownership, taxation, pensions, social benefits, inheritance and divorce but rule out adoption. The report, commissioned by the State Secretary for Justice, Ms Elizabeth Schmitz, followed a parliamentary vote that favoured extending civil marriage and adoption rights to gays.