A historic day: The Austrian Constitutional Court opens marriage and registered partnership for all
On the 5th, December 2017 the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Human Rights received wonderful news from the president of the Legal Committee LAMBDA (RKL), Dr. Helmut Gaupner:
“Breaking news:
We won, by all terms! The Austrian Constitutional Court just
a) opened up marriage for same-gender couples and
b) opened up registered partnership for opposite-gender couples
(both from 1 January 2019)
The Austrian Constitutional Court (the first and oldest constitutional cour t in the world) is the first court in Europe to turn down a marriage b an for same-gender couples. Accordingly Austria is the first European country to recognize marriage equality for same-gender couples as a fundamental human right. All the other European states with marriage equality introduced it (just) the political way.
Today is a truly historic day.
The Austrian Constitutional Court gave the most wonderful Christmas-present one could imagine to loving couples (same-gender and opposi te gender): comprehensive and equal freedom of choice for all and to same-gender couples dignity and equality after centuries of discrimination and persecution. Sincere thanks to the 14 judges of the Constutional Court of Austria, who truly secured themselves an outstanding place in the history of Austria, Europe and the world. Thanks from the deepest of our hearts!”
The Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Human Rights welcomes this important, from a human rights perspective momentous, decision by the Austrian Supreme Court, which will not only leave a significant mark on the Austrian legal system, but also on future legal developments in Europe. We would also like to take this occassion to congratulate attorney Dr. Helmut Graupner for this wonderful success, which was achieved through his unwavering efforts and creative and strategic litigation for the rights of discriminated people, especially those in the LGBTI community.