Fridae

Following Pope Francis’ recently voiced support for same-sex civil unions, Senator Maria Josefa Imelda “Imee” Marcos called on her colleagues to act on her proposal seeking to recognise the right of same-sex couples to co-own property.

Hawaii is on its way to becoming the seventh US state with a civil unions law after the bill, which grants gay and lesbian couples the same rights and benefits the state provides to married couples, was approved by lawmakers on Wednesday and is awaiting the signature of the governor.

The ACT government passed legislation today making it the first to legalise civil partnership ceremonies for same-sex couples, but Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has the power to overturn the new laws because they are at odds with the marriage act. 

It may have been a long time coming but the long awaited reform to allow same-sex couples to inherit each other's superannuation or pension may be further stalled despite being slated to take effect from July 1.