ABSTRACT

This chapter gives a brief picture of responsible same-sex relationships. It outlines EU competence in the area of family law and marriage. The chapter gives examples from national laws and policies in relation to responsible same-sex relationships and the influence of EU law on law making. It argues that the EU Charter could be a driving force for recognition of societal changes in relational ties. The language of obligation and responsibility has been used in this context to denote 'inclusive citizenship' and 'substantive constitutional guarantees' all within the bounded community of the state. Any status, obligations and rights attached to it are just as important as those attached to a heterosexual marriage. The more diversity in familial ties is recognized. The chapter argues that, at the moment, marriage is the relationship that should be opened to same-sex couples and that this should be mandated and adjudicated by the EU, not left to a postcode lottery of individual states.