Berlin - Homosexual couples in Germany will be able to register their partnerships from the start of next month after a constitutional court ruling yesterday, writes Derek Scally.
The court threw out an application by the conservative-governed states of Bavaria and Saxony for an injunction to delay the legislation. The legislation allows same-sex couples to exchange vows at a registry office and share a common surname.
Couples will also be entitled to the many of the same provisions made for heterosexual couples in areas such as inheritance and health insurance.
"It's a black day for families," said one member of Bavaria's Christian Social Union (CSU) after the ruling. The CSU argued in front of the court in Karlsruhe that the legislation damaged the constitutional protection given to the "traditional" family.