| | |  Editorials | Opinions | December 2009 
Gay Marriage in Mexico City
 Sean Goforth - FPA
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December 29, 2009
| Gay rights activists Ruben Duran, 23, left, and Saul Aparicio, 27, kiss as they celebrate the legalization of same-sex marriage in front of Mexico City's local assembly. (AP/Alexandre Meneghini)
See related story: Mexico City Assembly Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage | |
Gay marriage was legalized in Mexico City one week ago. “This is a huge triumph that has followed so many years of struggle,” campaigner Kin Castañeda told TIME, as she stood next to her partner in the assembly gallery. “It is a recognition of our basic rights. And that is a cause for celebration today.” In a separate motion, the city assembly also sanctioned adoption by gay couples.
Throughout Mexico and Latin America activists are hoping for a domino effect that transforms the nation, and the region. Editorials in Chile asked when that nation would approve gay marriage. Last Wednesday, 10 couples in Rosario, Argentina, filed legal motions demanding the right to marry.
They should temper their enthusiasm. Social liberalization in Mexico City has, so far, engendered sweeping conservative backlash. Consider abortion. In 2007, Mexico City moved to allow elective abortion. The past two years have seen a slew of abortion bans, spanning two-thirds of Mexican states, many more punitive to women than the original prohibitions. Now a nationwide ban on abortion is in the offing.
Mexico City taking a step forward could result in Mexico taking two steps back. The fight for gay marriage may well impede the recognition of civil unions, a meaningful half-step. |
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