On 3 December 2004 the Senate (higher chamber of Polish parliament, presently highly dominated by postcommunist SLD members) proposed a bill allowing gay and lesbian people to register their relationships as Civil unions.

Parties to a civil union shall be given a great range of benefits, protections and responsibilities (e.g. pension funds, joint tax and death-related benefits), granted at the moment only to spouses in a marriage. However, they shall not be allowed to adopt children.

The bill, which has raised much controversy, is now expected to find its way to the lower chamber of Polish parliament (the Sejm).

Only two parties, SLD-UP and SDPL, (both Social Democrats) support the project. PO, LPR and PiS (all conservative), are opposing it. Samoobrona is indifferent and PSL hasn't take a position yet on the project (both agrarian). But probably both parties will vote against. SLD-UP and SdPL do not have a majority in parliament, so the bill does not seem to have enough support to pass. The first reading in Polish parliament is expected in April 2005, most probably on the first session from 6-8 April.