Despite conservative efforts to stymie the progression of the gay rights movement in Germany, legislation for gay adoption rights took a giant leap forward yesterday when:

The Federal Constitutional Court ruled that one member of a civil partnership should be able to adopt the partner’s stepchild or adopted child. Until now, they could only adopt a partner’s biological child

While Germany still only permits gay couples to enter into a civil partnership, hopefully this new legislation will provide the government with the incentive to fix outdated laws in regards to marriage and the family.

“Today’s decision marks a historic step finally to put rainbow families in Germany on a comprehensive, secure legal footing,” Justice Minister Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger said. “Full adoption must be the next step.”

Though the ruling means that same-sex couples can now adopt the same child on an individual basis, they still cannot adopt children together as a couple. Germany’s main gay rights group called for that to be changed after the ruling.

In a separate case, the court is considering whether gay partnerships should be granted the tax breaks given to married couples; it’s unclear when a ruling will come.

Hopefully discussions like these will help bring Germany out of the dark ages.