The Polish government has proposed a bill that aim to recognise same-sex partnerships, Equality Minister Katarzyna Kotula has announced.
Despite years of pressure from LGBTQ+ rights groups and the European Union, the Catholic country currently draws the line at same-sex unions.
“It’s official! The draft laws on registered partnerships, which were discussed with non-governmental organizations, have been sent for public and inter-ministerial consultations,” Kotula said on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday, October 18.
To już oficjalne! Projekty ustaw o rejestrowanych związkach partnerskich, które były omawiane z organizacjami pozarządowymi zostały skierowane do konsultacji publicznych i międzyresortowych 📣
To dla mnie bardzo ważny dzień, bo w Wasze ręce oddaję efekt wielu miesięcy pracy… pic.twitter.com/ARcfxIuppJ
— Katarzyna Kotula (@KotulaKat) October 18, 2024
“This is a new chapter in the long march for equality, which, thanks to the many years of work of many LGBT organisations and civil society, has led us to this historic moment,” the minister added.
The government of Prime Minister Donald Tusk has proposed establishing “civil partnerships” between adults, irrespective of their sex, that would be registered with local authorities much as any other contract.
Couples in such partnerships would then be able to establish joint property, or divide their property, via notarised deeds.
Kotula added the government had to “take a step back” and make a compromise when it came to same-sex couples and adoption of children, however.
According to the proposed bills, a person in the civil partnership is “entitled to participate” in the care and raising of their partner’s child residing in the household, including everyday decisions, “unless either of the parents exercising parental authority over the child objects.”
Poland is one of five EU members that has not granted legal recognition to same-sex relationships, the others being Bulgaria, Lithuania, Romania and Slovakia.
