A lesbian couple have become Mexico's first state recognised same-sex married couple. 25-year-old Karina Almaguer and 30-year Karla Lopez travelled to Saltillo, Coahuilla from their home state of Tamaulipas, the only Mexican state to recognise gay marriage. The ceremony was witnessed by Coahuilla congresswoman Julieta Lopez. "We've been a couple for a year," Ms Almaguer told reporters. The law that recognises civil gay marriages was passed in Coahuilla on 11th January. The Institutional Revolutionary Party were responsible for bringing the bill before the legislature, where it passed by 20 votes to 13. Coahuila is one of Mexico's 31 states. It is in the north of the country, and has a land border with Texas along the Rio Grande and has a population of around 2.5 million people. The new pro-gay law has been criticised by the Roman Catholic Church and the conservative National Action Party of President Felipe Calderon. Mexico City also recognises gay unions. Ref: Pinknews.co.uk (m)
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Saturday, 3rd February 2007 - 12:00pm