Cyprus legalizes civil cohabitation of homosexual, heterosexual couples

Cyprus has legalized civil cohabitation of homosexual and heterosexual couples, with a Civil Cohabitation Law being sent on Friday to the president for signing, following its approval by a cross-party parliamentary majority.

Cypriot parties allowed their deputies to vote according to conscience on the introduction of civil partnership, which was strongly opposed by the influential Greek Orthodox Church of Cyprus on the grounds it will undermine traditional marriage and the fabric of society.

Out of 56 members of the parliament, 39 voted in favor, 12 against and 3 abstained. Two MPs were absent.

Member of the LGBT movement (acronym of lesbians, gay, bi-sexual and transgender) present at the debate broke out in cheers after the vote result was announced.

But DIKO party leader Nicolas Papadopoulos, who voted in favor of the legislation, said the bill was not about homosexuality.

"We are rather voting for freedom and equality. The bill is about allowing an alternative union," said Papadopoulos.

The legislation explicitly prohibits adoption of children by couples in civil cohabitation, though in practice one of the parties can still apply for adoption as a single person.

Supporters of the bill said they voted for it because it regulates the rights and obligation of couples wishing a relationship other than a traditional marriage at the church or a civil marriage.

The bill was originally named the Cohabitation Agreement Law but it was renamed in the process of its debate to the Civil Cohabitation Law to reflect the fact that the union is not an agreement entered into by the partners but a state of affairs regulated by state law. Endit