Ramsey MHK Allan Bell hopes the Civil Partnership Bill will help distance the Isle of Man from what he calls 'the dark days' of the late 1980s and early 90s.
The bill, which is being promoted by Mr Bell, received its second reading in the House Keys last week, and aims to give legal recognition to relationships of same-sex couples.
Mr Bell says it won't change the way people live, but should give the rest of the world a further indication of how the Island has evolved into a more tolerant and inclusive society.
He remembers the high profile public debate surrounding the Sexual Offences Bill, which led to the decriminalisation of homosexuality 20 years ago.
Mr Bell says there were tragic consequences for some gay people:
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