Fridae

Gay and lesbian couples in Canberra will soon be able to adopt children, but the Government has stopped short of introducing same-sex civil unions.

Chief Minister Jon Stanhope last Thursday announced the second wave of sweeping changes to ACT law to remove discrimination against gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex people.

The first wave of changes, which removed discriminatory language in 39 pieces of legislation, was passed earlier this year.

The biggest change will be allowing same-sex couples to adopt children, which will mainly be used by people whose partners have children from a previous relationship. Lesbian partners of women who have an artificially conceived child will be recognised as a parent.

Under the new laws, the gay-panic defence, in which the defence of provocation had been available for a violent reaction to a non-violent homosexual advance, will no longer be available in murder cases. It will also become illegal to vilify someone on the basis of his or her sexuality, transexuality or HIV-AIDS status.

The changes should easily go through the Assembly, with cross-bench support, despite the Liberals opposing the same-sex adoption provisions.

Mr Stanhope said: "Following the extensive consultation on this issue, we will soon move to amend the law to ensure there is no legislative discrimination against same sex couples, transgender intersex people in the ACT.

"These reforms are based on our strong belief that everyone is entitled to respect and dignity and the right to participate in society and receive the full protection of the law regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identification."