A "ja" for couples.

After a strong debate over what conservatives branded an a "attack on family and society," German lawmakers on November 10 passed a law that allows same-sex partners to register their partnerships as well as extends the tax and inheritance rights of marriage to gay couples. The law, which is due to come into force next year, also gives gay couples the same pension entitlements as straight couples and gives foreigners in same-sex relationships with Germans the right to residency. "This legislation goes a long way toward breaking down discrimination against homosexuals," Justice Minister Herta Daeubler-Gmelin said. Conservative officials were less enthusiastic about the new law. "This is unconstitutional and an outrage to German culture," said Norbert Geis, a legislator for the Christian Social Union party.