Mexico's Supreme Court To Rule On Gay Marriage
Mexico's Supreme
Court To Rule On
Gay Marriage
BY ON TOP MAGAZINE STAFF
PUBLISHED: AUGUST 03, 2010
Mexico's Supreme Court is expected to rule on a gay marriage law,
possibly as early as this week.
possibly as early as this week.
Mexico City lawmakers legalized gay marriage in December and
the law went into effect in March. It gives gay and lesbian couples
all the rights and responsibilities of marriage, including the right
to adopt children. Previously, the city government recognized gay
couples with civil unions, but gay adoption was banned.
the law went into effect in March. It gives gay and lesbian couples
all the rights and responsibilities of marriage, including the right
to adopt children. Previously, the city government recognized gay
couples with civil unions, but gay adoption was banned.
Saying it was duty-bound to protect children, the federal Attorney
General's Office has challenged the law. The federal government
claims the law is unconstitutional because it “strays from the
responsibility of the government to place a priority on safeguarding
the interests of children.”
General's Office has challenged the law. The federal government
claims the law is unconstitutional because it “strays from the
responsibility of the government to place a priority on safeguarding
the interests of children.”
The federal government is controlled by the conservative PAN Party.
Mexico City lawmakers approved the law over the objections of local
PAN leaders and the Roman Catholic Church.
Mexico City lawmakers approved the law over the objections of local
PAN leaders and the Roman Catholic Church.
Mexico's Roman Catholic archbishop, Cardinal Noberto Rivera Carrera,
called the law “immoral” and “reprehensible.”
called the law “immoral” and “reprehensible.”
Nearly 10% of Mexicans call Mexico City home, making it the
country's most populous city.
country's most populous city.
City officials have claimed that the federal government's actions
are politically motivated. For instance, no Mexican state has defined
marriage as a heterosexual union in its constitution. And unlike the
United States, there is no federal law banning gay marriage.
Social conservatives fear gay marriage spreading out from
Mexico City as state courts recognize the marriages of gay
and lesbian couples.
are politically motivated. For instance, no Mexican state has defined
marriage as a heterosexual union in its constitution. And unlike the
United States, there is no federal law banning gay marriage.
Social conservatives fear gay marriage spreading out from
Mexico City as state courts recognize the marriages of gay
and lesbian couples.
The city has expressed confidence the high court will rule
in its favor.
in its favor.
Several Latin American countries have followed Mexico City's lead.
Argentina approved a gay marriage law last month. Chile, the last
country on the continent to allow divorce, Uruguay, and Paraguay
say they'll consider a gay marriage law.Peru will debate a bill that
recognizes gay and lesbian couples with civil unions.
Argentina approved a gay marriage law last month. Chile, the last
country on the continent to allow divorce, Uruguay, and Paraguay
say they'll consider a gay marriage law.Peru will debate a bill that
recognizes gay and lesbian couples with civil unions.
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