In Austria, the Constitutional Court has struck down a ban on same sex adoption.

Prior to the ruling, those in same sex relationships were only able to adopt the biological children of their partner. Now, couples will be able to jointly adopt non-biological children.

Chief Judge Gerhart Holzinger stated that the restriction went against the anti-discrimination statutes of the European Human Rights Convention.

“This is no justification for difference in treatment because of sexual orientation.”

Same sex couples cannot marry in Austria, but are able to form a “registered relationship”.

OIP Staff