New Zealand Goes for Civil Unions

In case the erosion of civil rights in America is pushing you to leave the country, but you think that it's just too damned cold in Canada, you may want to consider New Zealand.

NZ recognises same-sex unions

New Zealand's parliament has passed controversial legislation to recognise civil unions between gay couples.

The Civil Union Bill, which passed by 65 votes to 55, also recognises unions between men and women who do not want to marry.

The new law, which takes effect next April, gives unmarried couples the same rights as married couples in areas like child custody, tax and welfare.

The bill stirred fierce debate, with critics saying it undermined marriage.

How very odd. It's almost a mirror image of the United States, except that the sane side gets the slightly larger percentage. And do you notice how critics in N.Z. use exactly the same phrases that the homophobes in the United States employ? Who says our influence around the world is in decline?!