Hungary to allow same-sex domestic partnerships

Hungary's official government publication says gay couples will be able to register domestic partnerships beginning July 1.

The official bulletin says a new law will allow the partnership if both partners are at least 18 years old. The law will prohibit same-sex couples from adopting children together, but will require partners to provide care for each other's children from earlier relationships if the children are recognized as belonging to the partnership.

The bill was approved by parliament in April and signed by President Laszlo Solyom earlier this week.

In December, Hungary's Constitutional Court annulled a similar law on domestic partnerships because it applied to heterosexual couples as well, thereby "downgrading" the institution of marriage.