Date: Thu, 18 Apr 1996 12:20:38 +0200 (MET DST)
From: skolander@bahnhof.se (Bjoern Skolander)
Subject: HOLLAND: Dilemma for queen over gay marriages?

Dilemma for queen over gay marriages
By Helen Cranford in Brussels 
GROUPS opposed to the legalisation of gay marriages in Holland are asking
whether their Queen will go so far as to support the move.

The Dutch parliament has already backed legislation to grant gays the same
legal and civil marital rights as heterosexual couples.

The Queen normally remains happily in the mainstream of her country's
liberal tendencies and even appointed a gay tutor for her eldest son, Prince
Wilhelm Alexander.

The gay community is proud to boast that she is everyone's queen. Her
portrait commonly eyes her subjects in the gay bars and discos across the 
land.

Her Christmas speech embraced the "diversity" of Dutch society, which many
gay activists interpreted as a royal nod in their favour.

But to tamper with tradition and extend the symbol of marriage to
homosexuals is a step too far, say the Family Bill's opponents.

Legal marriages are mutually recognised throughout the European Union. "But,
clearly other countries would find same-sex marriages problematical," said
Frits Bolkestein, of the Freedom and Democracy Party (VVD).

Relations with France are already strained because of Dutch tolerance
towards drugs. "Supporters of gay marriages simply don't understand the
extra damage they would cause to our foreign relations," said Mr Bolkestein.

If the new family law reaches the statute books, married gays would be
entitled to the same adoption and inheritance rights as heterosexual
couples, including the right of foreign spouses to Dutch nationality after
three years. Going Dutch would take on a whole new meaning.

"If we are equal human beings, we must be given the same legal civil status
as heterosexuals"

If a future Dutch king married another man, any adopted children would
become their legitimate heirs, said Boris Dittrich, whose D66 Democratic
Party is backing the legislation. "Sexual preference has nothing to do with 
it."

Lesbians resorting to artificial insemination would be the legal mothers,
which is not the case now. This would apply even to a royal lesbian, he said.

The Bill is now with the Cabinet, whose response is expected in several
weeks. Several ministers, including the Prime Minister, Wilhelm Kok, are
understood to be against giving homosexuals full marital rights and,
instead, favour legislation that falls short of marriage.

In the Netherlands, where attitudes are far more relaxed than in Britain,
gay couples can already register for social housing and other forms of
"common" living. This could simply be extended to include social benefits
and tax status, for example.

But refusal to heed parliament's proposal for full equal rights could
unleash a major political storm and bring down the government, said Mr 
Dittrich.

"My girlfriend and I are going to get married. We want a traditional ceremony"

Henk Krol, editor of De Gay Krant (Gay News) who intends to be among the
first to marry if and when the new law is passed, said: "The groundswell of
public opinion is now in our favour.

"We do not want a 'gay' wedding, like they have in Denmark. We want a proper
marriage ceremony," he said. "If we are equal human beings, we must be given
the same legal civil status as heterosexuals."

Laurette Spoelman, who runs a gay social club in Amsterdam, said: "My
girlfriend and I are going to get married. We want a traditional ceremony.
But the most important thing is my girlfriend's children and that the gay
movement has scored an important point."

But what if Queen Beatrix refuses her Royal Assent?

"That is unheard of. We are not like Belgium, where the king abdicated
rather than sign a decree legalising abortion," said Mieke van der Burg, of
the Socialist Party.

"Once parliament has agreed, she always endorses its decision. That is what
democracy is all about."

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