The small Dutch Caribbean island has approved civil unions
The small island of Aruba in the Caribbean has voted to approve civil unions for same-sex couples. It means for the first time that people will be able to tie the knot in Aruba and extending many of the same benefits provided to married people in the country
It will mean that those who are in a civil union have access to spousal pensions and authority to make emergency medical decisions, according to NewNowNext.
Although Aruba is a officially a constituent part of the Netherlands, where same-sex marriage is legal, gay couples have in the past had to travel to the Netherlands to get married and only have their relationship recognised on their return.
About Out Of Office
Out Of Office is a luxury tailor-made travel company with a focus on delivering exclusivity and inclusivity. Our passion for global adventure is matched only by our deep commitment to delivering exceptional five-star service.
Everything we do is customised and designed especially for you – our valued customer – based on your exact personal requirements. Each member of our team is widely travelled. This means you get access to first-rate travel insights and the best possible advice from our team of luxury travel experts.
| Enquire Now |
Senator Desiree de Sousa-Croes, introduced a bill to allow civil unions after herself having to travel to the Netherlands to marry her partner.
“I would have wanted same-sex marriage,” Senator Croes said. “But this amendment will eliminate the need to travel to the Netherlands to marry, as our laws will soon provide rights for same-sex couples.”
The Caribbean has a multitude of different laws pertaining to being gay. Other former Dutch colonies, Saint Maarten and Curacao, still do not recognise same-sex unions.
At the time of writing homosexuality is illegal in Antigua, Barbados, Jamaica, Saint Kitts, Saint Lucia, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Trinidad and Tobago.
