Mexico City approves gay civil unions

[Placebo]

Mexico City's assembly on Thursday voted for the first time in the country's history to legally recognize gay civil unions, a measure that will provide same-sex couples with benefits similar to those of married couples. The mayor was expected to sign the measure into law.

The bill, which does not approve gay marriage, allows same-sex couples to register their union with civil authorities, granting them inheritance and pension rights, as well as other social benefits. Lawmakers were still finalizing the details.

Heterosexual couples who are not legally married can also be registered under the legislation.

The bill was severely criticized by the Catholic Church and conservative civil groups. It passed by a vote of 43-17, with all the opposition coming from the National Action Party of President
Vicente Fox and president-elect Felipe Calderon.

More...

:woohoo: :pals:

[Ringo84]

1. Good!

Maybe things are changing!

It really sucks that my overly-conservative state (Virginia) passed our
asinine Constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. I like this state, as I was born and raised here, but Virginia's conservatism is disappointing.
Ringo

[DoYouEverWonder]

2. Mexico City passes gay union law

10 November 2006



Mexico City's assembly has backed a law recognising same-sex civil unions, the first such move in the country's history.

The ruling stops short of enabling gay couples to get married and will only apply to the estimated nine million inhabitants of Mexico City.

Mexico City Mayor Alejandro Encinas is widely expected to ratify the law.

It has met fierce opposition from President-elect Felipe Calderon's National Action Party.

The law has also been attacked by the Catholic Church and conservative activists.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6134730.stm

[Vidar]

3. A catholic country like Mexico can do this & the US can't.

[DoYouEverWonder]

4. Amazing

isn't it?

[IntiRaymi]

5. The taliban has been voted out.

So all this will soon change.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

6. But Mexico is Catholic in its own way

The government has been strictly secular for decades and was downright anti-clerical during parts of its history.

Popular piety is strong, but also mixed in with Native American traditions, and many believe that the Virgin of Guadalupe is really a co-opting of one of the Aztec mother goddesses.

[Vidar]

10. Interesting, Lydia. The important thing is that they are not

following the grand inquisitor, Biggy Ratz, in lockstep like all too many American catholics.

[Kali]

8. Mexico is a VERY secular country.

There is excellent separation (animosity!) of church and state. Now, the population is pretty religious, but not the government.

[DixieBlue]

12. Kind of surreal, no?

That was my first reaction as well.

[Cafe Americano]

7. good

Good for Mexico City.

[mom cat]

9. WOW! That is huge!

[Fierce]

11. Hurrah!

Congratulations, Mexico City!