Germany Allows Gay Couples More Rights

The German parliament voted to afford same-sex couples more rights on Friday. The legislation will allow gays and lesbians in registered partnerships to adopt their significant others' biological children, although they remain barred from generally adopting kids. They will also have the right to refuse to testify against their partners. As in heterosexual marriages, the law will make gay and lesbian couples financially responsible for each other, even if they break up, and give them the same rights to their partners' pensions and assets in the case of death. The legislation is due to come into effect in January 2005.