Portugal's president Anibal Cavaco Silva has decided to ratify a law allowing gay marriage. The approval of the law passed by Parliament earlier this year will make Portugal the sixth country in Europe to allow same-sex marriage after Belgium, Spain, Norway, the Netherlands and Sweden. BBC reports the law had been fiercely opposed by conservatives in the Catholic country. It comes days after Pope Benedict, on a visit to Portugal, told pilgrims they should fight it. Portugal's Constitutional Court validated the legality of the Socialist Government's bill last month. It was backed by all of Portugal's left-of-centre parties, who together have a majority in Parliament. Right-of-centre parties opposed the measure and demanded a national referendum.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Tuesday, 18th May 2010 - 9:41am