Spain Legalizes Gay Marriage, Adoption

Spain officially became the third country in the world to legalize gay marriage and allow gay couples to adopt children nationwide Thursday.

Spain officially became the third country in the world to legalize gay marriage nationwide Thursday, despite adamant opposition from conservatives and clergy in the traditionally Roman Catholic nation.

The controversial bill, part of the ruling Socialists’ aggressive agenda for social reform, passed the 350-seat Congress of Deputies by a vote of 187-147, according to the Associated Press. The bill essentially gives gay couples the same benefits of traditional marriage – including the privilege to adopt children and inherit each others’ property.

The Senate, where conservatives hold the largest number of seats, rejected the bill last week, but the final say on legislation rests with the more liberal Congress of Deputies.

According to AP, reactions were heavily mixed. When the final tally was announced, “gay and lesbian activists watching from the spectator section of the ornate chamber cried, cheered, hugged, waved to lawmakers and blew them kisses,” AP reported.

Meanwhile, members of the conservative opposition Popular Party shouted: “This is a disgrace.”

The gay marriage bill marks the most divisive initiative undertaken by Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero’s liberal social agenda.

Under Zapatero, Spain adopted several laws that counter biblical values, including a legislation allowing stem-cell research. Parliament on Wednesday also passed a controversial bill that lets couples divorce without stating the reason for the split-up or having mandatory separation. Zapatero also said he wants to loosen Spain’s “restrictive abortion law," according to AP.

The Roman Catholic Church has been at the forefront in the battle to protect traditional marriage and other biblical values. It successfully organized a June 18 rally in which hundreds of thousands of traditional-marriage supporters marched through Madrid in opposition to the Bill.

The Spanish Family Forum – a civil group which includes religious associations – also presented lawmakers with a petition bearing 600,000 signatures as a last minute protest Wednesday.

Despite these protests and petitions from the streets and the opposition from the conservative Popular Party in the senate, Zapatero pushed-through the gay marriage legislation by citing “freedom and equality.”

"We were not the first, but I am sure we will not be the last. After us will come many other countries, driven, ladies and gentlemen, by two unstoppable forces: freedom and equality," he told the chamber, according to AP.

He also said the reform is simply a “small change in wording that means an immense change in the lives of thousands of citizens.”

Popular Party leader Mariano Rajoy said after the vote that Zapatero abdicated his responsibilities as the Prime Minister.

"I think the prime minister has committed a grave act of irresponsibility," Rajor told reporters.

Gay couples in Spain can get married as early as Friday, depending on how soon the law is published in the official government registry. The parliament’s press office told AP this will take two weeks at the latest.

The Netherlands and Belgium are the only other two countries that allow gay marriage nationwide. Since the two countries adopted legislation allowing such unions, overall percentages of couples living in marriage – including traditional marriage – declined drastically.

Canada’s House of Commons passed legislation Tuesday that would follow in the European nation's path. Its Senate is expected to pass the bill into law by the end of July.