Costa Rica Considers Law for Same-Sex Civil Unions
Given the strong Roman Catholic hold on the country, Costa Rican lawmakers are proposing legalizing same-sex civil unions, though the legislation may be difficult to pass.

The proposal is grant same-sex couples marital type rights such as bereavement leave, inheritance rights and power over medical decision, though stopping short of recognizing same-sex marriages.

The proposal also does not grant same-sex couples the right to adopt.

Andrea Morales of the Partido Acción Cuidadana (PAC), said that the bill guarantees same-sex couples respect and tolerance.

However, the proponent of the change, Ana Helena Chacon of the Partido Unidad Social Cristiana (PUSC) feels that Costa Rica's record of intolerance of gays will make passing the bill difficult.

For their part, gay rights activists say that the proposal is long overdue.

"We gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgenders already enjoy all the duties but not all of the rights of citizenship," said activist Abelardo Araya, who added that  "the country has a system of homophobia that is almost institutionalized."

No members of the ruling party, the Partido Liberación Nacional (PLN) commented on the proposal.

Colombia and the Mexico City local government,  approved same-sex unions earlier this year.

For Chacon, she said that they will know the fate of her proposal when the bill hits the legislature floor.