
Mexico City Legalizes Civil Unions
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - Mexico Citys 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."
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