| | |  Americas & Beyond 
Gay Marriage in Mexico Means Little Over the Border
 Derek Shore - KFOX News
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August 16, 2010
 |  | Currently, organizations like hospitals and other agencies will not have to allow spousal rights to same-sex couples with a legal Mexican marriage license. |  | | |
El Paso, Texas - Despite Mexico legalizing same-sex marriages, those unions will likely not be recognized in other parts of the Borderland.
El Pasoan Cesar Campa, a gay man, has been in a committed relationship with his partner, Sam, for nearly half a decade. Campa said he would like that relationship to be legal.
"Through our five years there have been certain situations that have arisen that not having the ability to be recognized as a spouse has been proved to be problematic," Campa said.
Campa said he is excited that yet another government has legalized same-sex unions, and said he hopes American communities in the Borderland recognize those unions.
"I think it's a huge step. I mean, I think allowing same-sex marriages in Mexico City is huge," Campa said.
However, according to local legal experts, it appears those unions will not be acknowledged in Texas or New Mexico.
"Under current law - absent a radical transformation - gay marriages will not be recognized," said Carlos Spector, an El Paso immigration attorney.
Spector said for immigration purposes, the unions will mean nothing. Since Texas and New Mexico do not allow same-sex marriages, it means local governments do not have to acknowledge the unions either.
The decision by Mexico’s Supreme Court, however, shows a sign of progress, Spector said.
"I think it shows there’s a change in international perspective in law that may ultimately result in federal law recognizing it," Spector said.
Currently, however, organizations like hospitals and other agencies will not have to allow spousal rights to same-sex couples with a legal Mexican marriage license.
Campa, meanwhile, hopes those agencies decide to recognize those unions anyway.
"I think definitely we as an El Paso community need to start looking at all that is going to play out and affect our community," Campa said.
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