Mexico City Legalizes Civil Unions

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - Mexico City’s assembly on Thursday passed legislation to legally recognize gay civil unions, a historic first in the conservative, predominantly Roman Catholic country, AP reports.

Mayor Alejandro Encinas, who supported the legislation, is expected to sign the bill into law, while at least one conservative non-governmental group is considering seeking a court injunction against the bill.

The bill will allow same-sex couples to register their union, giving them many of the same rights and benefits as married couples, but will not approve gay marriage. The measure will also grant the same benefits to unmarried heterosexual couples who register.

"This law ... does not require anyone else to change their thinking, nor does it hurt the concept of the nuclear family," said legislator Juan Bustos of the Democratic Revolution Party, which has been fighting for the law for years.

The Catholic Church and many conservative groups are strongly opposed to the law. The Mexican Council of Bishops believes the law to be the first step towards gay marriage and gay adoption rights, while the conservative National Parents Union has characterized the law as "aberrant."