Registered partnership debate renewed in Latvia – society at large remains homophobic
This week, Mozaika, Latvian alliance of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans people and their friends celebrates its 5th anniversary. During a press conference to coincide with the organisational anniversary, Linda Freimane, Mozaika chairwoman, expressed a hope that a registered partnership law for same-sex partners could be adopted by Latvian parliament during current parliamentary term.
Mozaika is currently finalising the draft law and conducting consultation with various political parties and civil society organisations.
However, latest public opinion poll reveals that Latvian society remains hostile towards LGBT people and legal recognition of same-sex partnerships. Such poll was conducted by SKDS, leading in the country Marketing and Public Opinions Research Centre. The poll was conducted across Latvia and in total 1060 individuals took part.
General attitudes
· 23% condemned both homosexual individuals and homosexual relations
· 30% condemned neither homosexual individuals neither homosexual relations
· 28% said they do not condemn homosexual individuals, but condemn homosexual relations
· 19% did not have clear opinion on this subject
· 22% wanted to see more tolerant attitudes towards homosexuality
· 28% wanted to see more restrictive attitudes towards homosexuality
· 29% wanted the attitudes to remain as they currently are.
Registered partnership
· 37% agree that registered partnership should only apply to opposite sex partners
· 2,8% agree that such law could be applied to same-sex partners
· 15% agree that such law could be applied to both opposite sex and same sex partners
· 23% expressed an opinion that such law is not needed at all
· 22% did not have opinion on this subject
Politicians’ reactions
Latvian politicians are mostly rejecting the idea of registered partnership law for same-sex partners or remain cautious.
Dzintars Zaķis, chairperson of Unity parliamentary faction, leading partner in current government coalition, said he only heard about such proposal. He said he knows the draft law will be submitted but avoided making any judgements before they study the draft law. Prior to the parliamentary election in September 2010, Valdis Dombrovskis, current Prime Minister of Latvia (Unity), said he believed same-sex couples should be able to register their relationships and property status.
Augusts Brigmanis, chairperson of ‘The Union of Greens and Farmers’ parliamentary faction, said that his party will allow free vote and there won’t be party discipline applied on this issue: “each parliamentarian will have a free vote. Each person has their personal religious views. I personally support traditional relationships, however, I am tolerant towards others”.
Jānis Urbanovičs, chairperson of the leading opposition faction of ‘Harmony Centre’, openly stated he doubted that any of the MPs from his party would support such proposal. “I want to hear the arguments of the MPs who support such proposal.” He continued: “I think our society is divided on this topic and there is social tension. Society does not take the views on the issue of homosexual relationships in the same way and that could be one more crack in social mentality. Therefore such proposal is not welcome. Neither a discussion about such proposal is welcome.”
Imants Parādnieks of the nationalists faction ‘All to Latvia!/To Fatherlands and Freedom/ Latvian National Independence Movement’, said he will not even look at such proposal. “It will not happen, because it does not serve the interests of the Latvian people’s understanding of traditional values. This is not according to natural law. There are things which are natural and there are which are not. National union will not support this law”.
Edgars Zalāns, chairperson of the parliamentary faction of ‘For the Good of Latvia!’ categorically rejects such proposal and will seek MPs from other faction which share their opinion that registered partnership for same-sex partners is not legalised. He said that one of the priorities is the improvement of demographic situation in country and legalising any alternative forms of cohabitation contradict this priority.
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