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THE CIVIL UNION AND THE IMPORTANCE OF ITS

LEGISLATION
Countries

such as Saudi Arabia , Arab Emirates, Iran,

Mauritania, Somalia , South Sudan, Yemen share something
important , countries such as Mexico, Colombia, Uruguay ,
Ecuador, Venezuela have something in common too and
countries such as Iceland, Norway , Sweden, Belgium are
characterized by something. In the first group the
homosexuality is punished by death, in the second group the
Civil Union is legally recognized arrangement similar but not
equal to marriage, and the last group has recognized the
marriage same-sex couples.
With this reference, we can see that progress on equal rights
in the world isnt enough. The acceptance of homosexuality is
the center of this problem and the importance of recognizing
the rights of these people goes beyond religious beliefs and
social labels. For this situation many countries have
established in its legislation the Civil Union. But what is the
Civil Union?
A civil union is one of several names used to set a different
marital status to civil marriage. Typically it was created for gay
couples enjoy the same or similar rights and obligations of
heterosexual couples who would enjoy being civilly married.
Under a legal interpretation, and constitutional law, the
number of rights and obligations framing a civil union depend
to a greater or lesser degree of the law of each country.
The terms used to designate civil unions are not standardized,
and vary widely from country to country. For example some
countries use civil partnerships, registered partnerships,
domestic partnerships, significant relationships, reciprocal
beneficiary relationships, common-law marriage, adult
interdependent relationships, life partnerships, stable unions,
civil solidarity pacts, and so on. The exact level of rights,

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benefits, obligations, and responsibilities also varies,

depending on the laws of a particular country. Some
jurisdictions allow same-sex couples to adopt, while others
forbid them to do so, or allow adoption only in specified
circumstances.
Some opponents of same-sex marriage claim that civil unions
rob marriage of its unique status. The only thing that civil
union is seeking is the legal recognition of same-sex couples
and give these kind of couple rights such as inheritance share,
inheritance of property, the right to claim pensions, and social
security. For example a same-sex couple with 20 years
together if one of them dies , what happen with the other
member , this person wouldnt have the right to inherit
property of the deceased, he wouldnt be entitled to receive a
pension, or a social security, for that reason Civil unions arent
seen as a replacement for marriage. Some laws allow the
adoption of children, but that varies in each country. Dont
confuse the civil union with the marriage of same-sex couples,
because the marriage of same-sex couples have the same
rights as traditional marriage.
And so why not legislate civil union? In Peru recently the draft
law N 2647 was presented by Congressman Carlos Bruce for
the legalization of civil union but unfortunately this was
shelved.
In other American countries like Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador,
Uruguay, Venezuela, Chile and Costa Rica the Civil Union is
fully recognized and countries like Brazil, Argentina ,
Uruguay , French Guiana, Colombia, United State , Canada
and some cities of Mexico the marriage of same-sex couples
are legally recognized too.
The civil union shouldnt be seen as a way to destroy
marriage, people who know about laws and rights know that
the Civil Union is legally valid because the protection of
fundamental rights must be for all people without

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discrimination and with the purpose of achieve the free

development of personality.