5 couples in Mexico City inaugurate same-sex marriage law

[Judi Lynn]

Source: CNN

5 couples in Mexico City inaugurate same-sex marriage law
March 12, 2010 -- Updated 0132 GMT (0932 HKT)

Mexico City, Mexico (CNN) -- Five gay and lesbian couples were married in Mexico City on Thursday, the first such ceremonies since a law went into effect this month legalizing same-sex marriage in the Mexican capital.

Mexico City Mayor Marcelo Ebrard was on hand to witness four of the five couples signing their marriage certificates at the end of a 20-minute ceremony, Mexico's official news agency reported. A fifth couple, flying in from another state to take advantage of the new measure, arrived late and was married after the others.

Civil registry judges in Mexico City attended special training sessions in February in advance of the new law.

"Today is a historic day," Civil Registry Judge Hegel Cortes said at Thursday's ceremony, according to the Notimex news agency. "It solidifies the evolution of one of the most important rights."

Although same-sex ceremonies are only legally performed in Mexico City, the marriages themselves are recognized anywhere in the country.

Read more: http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/03/11/mexico.same.sex.marriage/index.html?iref=mpstoryview