Malta legalises same-sex unions and adoption

Malta legalised on the 14 April 2014 both same-sex unions and joint adoptions by gay couples.

Lawmakers in Malta's parliament voted 37-0 to legalise the two measures, sparking celebrations in the capital.

The new law defines gay unions as registered partnerships, with all the rights and obligations of married heterosexual couples.

Malta became the 22nd European country to legally recognise same-sex unions and 10th country in Europe to allow same-sex couples to jointly apply for child adoption.

• Primary Source

Deutsche Welle, 15.04.14: Catholic Malta legalizes same-sex civil unions http://dw.de/p/1BhzR

ILGA Europe: Press Release, 14.04.14: Malta adopts same-sex civil union law http://www.ilga-europe.org/home/guide_europe/country_by_country/malta/malta_adopts_same_sex_civil_union_law

ILGA Europe: Country-by-Country: Malta http://www.ilga-europe.org/home/guide_europe/country_by_country/malta

Wikipedia: LGBT rights in Malta http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT_rights_in_Malta

Malta Gay Rights Movement: News, 14.04.14: Celebration On The Introduction Of Civil Union Malta http://www.maltagayrights.org/latest.php?ref=aaceleb2014

Malta Independent, 15.04.14: Gays 'celebratingequality'in Valletta;PM cheered,Opposition booed http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2014-04-14/news/gays-prepare-to-celebrate-equality-4624908289/

Euronews, 15.04.14: Malta’s gay community celebrates new law recognising same-sex partnerships as marriages http://www.euronews.com/2014/04/15/malta-s-gay-community-celebrates-new-law-recognising-same-sex-partnerships-as-/

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