The parliament of Portugal, one of the most "socially conservative" nations in Europe, passed a marriage equality bill, reports Reuters:
Prime Minister Jose Socrates said was an historic step in the country's fight against discrimination. The bill gives gay marriages the same rights as heterosexual marriages, including those on taxes, inheritance and housing, but does not offer them the right to adopt children. The bill now needs to be ratified by conservative President Anibal Cavaco Silva. If he approves it, Portugal will join Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, South Africa and Canada in allowing gay marriages, all of which allow gay married couples to adopt children as well."
And this unexpected response from the Roman Catholic Church:
In contrast to Spain, where the run-up to the legalisation of gay marriage in 2005 brought hundreds of thousands of demonstrators onto the streets, the bill in Portugal provoked only muted opposition even from the political right... While normally vocal on the role of marriage and the family in society, the Catholic Church refused to mobilise on the issue, which Lisbon's Cardinal Patriarch Jose Policarpo said was "parliament's responsibility".
Separation of church and state. What a concept. Bravo to Portugal for choosing equality.
Fantastic news! The whole Iberian Peninsula now....
Posted by: reggieh | 08 January 2010 at 16:28
Yay!
Are you watching this Obama? We need a Federal Act from the top, then all this back and forth with the individual states will cease.
But I guess America never really was a leader in civil rights, was it?
Posted by: Taylor Siluwé | 08 January 2010 at 16:39
AMEN TAYLOR!
We have changed our minds about America. Before we were a superpower that was willing to stand up in the world, for justice.
Now, we are just a country of self-absorbed capitalists who all want to be famous for no apparent reason. It's crazy that MEXICO, SPAIN, SOUTH AFRICA, PORTUGAL and so many other places are ahead of us on the idea of EQUAL RIGHTS TO ALL OF ITS CITIZENS!
It's pissing me off to be in NJ right about now! I am having MOVE-MOMENTS right about now, but NY isn't any better! So I guess I need to look at CT or up!
Posted by: TheRevKev | 08 January 2010 at 20:30
Thank you Rev Kev!
This is another embarrassment for the U.S. The notion that we were the world leader on social issues has finally been debunked. Its an absolute disgrace that this country continues to believe in discrimination and sexual segregation.
2010 must be the beginning when all LGBT voters put the dems on final notice...."no more dependence on our support, financial or otherwise....either deliver the goods or face the consequences". No more playing nice, no more political correctness. The gloves must come off this year and beyond and they need to be reminded every day we face inequality.
Posted by: R. | 09 January 2010 at 00:26