Sep 15, 2006Articles: Gay Rights Group Promotes Civil Union Bill
By VZ
(Costa Rica) The Diversity Movement, a gay rights group, held a press conference yesterday to announce that the bill is in the hands of legislators who support it, including Ana Helena Chacón, of the Social Christian Unity Party (PUSC), José Merino del Río, of the Broad Front Party and Alberto Salom, of the Citizen Action Party (PAC).
(Costa Rica) The Diversity Movement, a gay rights group, held a press conference yesterday to announce that the bill is in the hands of legislators who support it, including Ana Helena Chacón, of the Social Christian Unity Party (PUSC), José Merino del Río, of the Broad Front Party and Alberto Salom, of the Citizen Action Party (PAC).
Diversity Movement president Abelardo Ayara said he hopes the legislators will "find the right moment" to submit the bill to the Legislative Assembly this week.
The bill would allow for civil union between members of the same sex, guaranteeing these couples all the rights heterosexual couples enjoy, including the right of a financially dependent partner to qualify for Social Security benefits through his or her partner's employer.
The Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court (Sala IV) ruled gay marriage unconstitutional in May (TT, May 26), but it also stated the need for legislation concerning civil unions, Araya said.
