Spain to legalise gay marriage

[Quetzal]

Spain to legalise gay marriage

Incoming Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero says Spain will legalise homosexual marriages and grant equal rights to gay couples.

The move is likely to stir controversy in one of Europe's most Catholic countries as the Vatican condemns same-sex unions.

Homosexuality was banned under Spanish dictator Francisco Franco.

Spain's Catholic bishops have already spoken out strongly against the adoption of children by homosexual couples.

But Zapatero has told parliament the moment has finally arrived to end what he says is the intolerable discrimination which many Spaniards suffer because of their sexual preferences.

His comments were made during a debate which will end with a vote to confirm him in office.

http://afr.com/articles/2004/04/16/1082055612905.html

La Rioja and Barcelona, here I come!!!

Spain To Legalize Gay Marriage

(Madrid) Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero told Parliament Thursday that he intends to move forward with plans to legalize gay marriage and grant equal rights to gay couples.

"The moment has finally arrived to end once and for all the intolerable discrimination which many Spaniards suffer because of their sexual preferences," Zapatero said during a debate which will end with a vote to confirm him in office.

"Homosexuals and transsexuals deserve the same public consideration as heterosexuals," he said. "As a result we will modify the Civil Code to recognize their equal right to marriage with the resulting effects over inheritance, labor rights and social security protection."

The move follows a pledge Zapatero's Socialist party made to woo gay voters in the last election. Last month, immediately following the election, he repeated the pledge in a television interview. (story) But, this is the first time, he has announced his intentions in Parliament.

http://www.365gay.com/newscon04/04/041504spain.htm

[slinkerwink]

1. wooohooooo!

[2Design]

2. now that looks like a country on the road to a true democracy

good for them. Discrimination, hate, and bigotry only lead to hate, wars, bullying, and other crimes. Let God judge at the end.

In the meantime let them live, God made them that way. Let them celebrate who they are, now.

[ezee]

14. Thank YOU

with people like you the world is sure to be a bewtter place, forever.

[MSgt213]

3. Question do other countries have to recognize people legally married in

Spain?

[Quetzal]

7. Not sure

If two gay married couples were entering the US, I believe they could not classify themselves as a "married" couple. Customs would make them sign individual documents.

[MSgt213]

8. I like to know on what basis they could not recognize it if it is legal

under the law of another country.

[Quetzal]

9. There is a precedent

I am not a lawyer, but when two gay men married in Canada last year and tried to enter the US as a married couple, customs made them sign documents classifying themselves as individuals.

[MSgt213]

10. Really based on what. If and american citizen went to spain why would

they have to sign documents to get back in the country?

[NV1962]

22. Unfortunately, no

With the exception of the EU, which has a common legal framework where mutual recognition of civil marital status is laid down, there is no legal instrument (obligation) that “forces” other states to accept same-sex marriage certificates extended in Spain.

With issues such as those related to custody, liability, and inheritance that can become rather messy; I suspect that it'll take a challenge presented (ultimately) to the SCOTUS involving US citizen(s) with a marriage certificate extended in the EU to settle that for the US.

[skooooo]

4. gay folks be settling down...

[Ediacara]

5. WOO-HOO

[aquart]

6. Spain has acquired a soul.

[malachibk]

12. They didn't have one before? Whaddya mean?

[drumwolf]

16. For a long time their soul was crushed by Generalissimo Franco. n/t

[Langis]

11. Hell yea!

:toast:

[David Zephyr]

13. Zapatero!

This socialist homo has nothing but admiration for Prime Minister Zapatero.

:toast:

[drumwolf]

15. Hehehehehe

This is what happens when the Socialists take over a country! First they withdraw their troops from Iraq, and now they're allowing those homos to marry! This is what the Spaniards get for appeasing the terrorists, I tell you... oh wait, the Muslim terrorists don't even like gays? Never mind...

</sarcasm off>

Are the Freepers having a fit?

:evilgrin:

[Sparky McGruff]

18. They hate us for our freedom...

That's why they're letting them Gays get Marriaged.

[ldf]

17. WOW!

how civilized!

[IndianaGreen]

19. Dennis Kucinich is the only candidate that supports gay marriage

Dennis is the real deal, not the phony deal.

Why settle for less when we can have someone that like Zapatero, will bring the troops home from Iraq and give GLBTs full equal rights.

Kerry also opposes including the transgendered in ENDA! While Bush is an avowed enemy of GLBTs, Kerry is no friend either!

[DemoTex]

20. Zapatero!

Setting a precedent for the world. Good show!

[leesa]

21. Man, I'm ready to move to Spain!

See what happens when you kick those RW maggots out? Rational behavior...ain't it sweet?

[Change has come]

23. Doesn't it suck being in a country that seems to be moving backwards?

WOO HOO Spain!!

[Beaker]

24. well, that's one way to boost tourism...

the olympics didn't pay off in the long run...maybe this will.