Spain Gives Preliminary Approval for Homosexual Marriage
If the bill becomes law, as is widely expected, it would make Spain the third European nation to legalize same-sex unions.
The Spanish parliament gave initial approval for the legalization of gay “marriage” on Thursday.
The bill passed by a 183-136 majority, however the Senate needs to approve and the lower house must read the final bill. If the bill becomes law, as is widely expected, it would make Spain the third European nation to legalize same-sex unions.
The bill would give same-sex unions the same status as heterosexual ones. It would give partners inheritance rights, pensions, and the ability to adopt children.
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A statement by the bishops of Spain indicated that the legalization of same-sex “marriage” was “damaging to the common good.”
When the decision was made known, the public gallery in parliament erupted with cheers and dozens of activists gathered outside to celebrate.
Activist Antonio Poveda, of the gay rights group Lambda expressed his approval for the measure, saying “I’m going to get married for the sake of activism, for love and for a question of dignity,” according to AP.
Senior Roman Catholic church officials have criticized Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero’s liberal Socialist Party agenda, which also includes reduced abortion restrictions and permitting stem cell research.
Although Spain is listed as being 94 percent Catholic, according to the CIA fact book, fewer than a fifth young Spaniards are practicing Catholics according to AP. In a survey last year, 70 percent of Spaniards said they were in favor of Gay marriage.
Former Pope John Paul issued a statement last year warning that the increasing secularization of Spain was moving the country toward “restriction of religious freedom and even promoting disdain or ignorance of religion.”
