"Yes, we could! Yes, we could!" chanted marriage equality supporters as Mexico City lawmakers passed a bill to legalise same-sex marriage. Victory: Same-sex marriage advocates in Mexico City (pic: AP) The city's mayor is expected to sign the bill into law soon, making Mexico City the first centre in Latin America to have equal marriage rights for same-sex couples. "This is wonderful," gay equality activist Judith Vasquez told the LA Times. "Gay couples have effectively been together for years, decades, centuries. But now it is our right. Mexico is a deeply conservative Roman Catholic country, especially in rural areas and smaller centres. Marriage in Mexico City, which is located in a federal district similar to the USA's Washington DC or Australia's ACT, will now be defined as "the free uniting of two people," instead of "the union of a man and a woman." The new law also allows married gay and lesbian couples to adopt children, apply for bank loans together, inherit wealth and be included in their spouse's insurance policies. Seven countries now allow gay marriages: Belgium, Canada, Norway, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, and the Netherlands. The US states of Iowa, Massachusetts, Vermont, Connecticut and New Hampshire also permit same-sex marriages.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News Staff
First published: Tuesday, 22nd December 2009 - 2:53pm