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Spain passes Same Sex Marriage Legislation

Spanish Parliament becomes fourth country to allow gay marriage
http://news.yahoo.com/s/cpress/20050...n_gay_marriage

Quote:

MAR ROMAN 1 hour, 2 minutes ago

MADRID, Spain (AP) - Legislators on Thursday voted to make traditionally Roman Catholic Spain the world's fourth country to give same-sex couples many of the same rights as heterosexual spouses.
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The vote in the 350-seat Congress of Deputies was 187 in favour, 147 against and four abstentions. After the final tally was announced, gay and lesbian activists watching from the spectator section of the ornate chamber cheered, embraced, waved to legislators and blew them kisses.

The law - sponsored by Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero and his ruling Socialists as part of an agenda for bold social reforms just a year after taking office - gives gay couples the same rights to inheritance and to adopt children as heterosexual married couples.

The Senate, where conservatives hold the largest number of seats, rejected the bill last week. But the Senate is an advisory body, and final say on legislation rested with the Congress of Deputies. The first marriages of gay couples can begin after the law is published in Spain's official journal, expected as early as 15 days, gay rights activists said.

In debate before the vote, Zapatero noted that the Netherlands and Belgium have already legalized gay marriage and Canada is expected to do so this summer.

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

Zapatero said the reform of Spanish legal code simply adds one paragraph but means much, much more.

He called it "a small change in wording that means an immense change in the lives of thousands of citizens. We are not legislating, ladies and gentlemen, for remote unknown people. We are expanding opportunities for the happiness of our neighbours, our work colleagues, our friends, our relatives."

For gays and lesbian couples in Spain, the new law means an end to years of discrimination, advocates say.

"Now we also have the right to show off our marriage. We are clear that our love is the same as any other," said Boti Garcia, Gimeno's longtime partner.

a week ago there were thousands of anti-gay marriage protestors in Madrid. I'm glad to hear about this progress in gay rights from Spain to Canada. Do you think the United States will ever pass such a law?

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Originally posted by Private I
Do you think the United States will ever pass such a law?

Unfortunately, not for a long, long, long time. I sometimes feel that the US is socially behind compared to other countries. It was only 50 years ago that we gave African Americans the same rights as whites so it will probably be a while until gays are also given rights.

And we haven't given women equal rights yet since the ERA never passed. Yeah, we're a bit behind.

here are my "subversive" views of the good 'ol USA

This country hates women (really think about it) and is getting more and more purtitanical by the minute. We like the "face" of being progressive, when we really are not at all (as a country).

When we have people making "R" dvd's into "G" dvds for families to watch...COME ON...they weren't meant for families in the first place....where there are less than 75 (being on the nice side) major cities in this country (meaning the major cities are the ones who tend to have more "open" views).

When we still can't talk about sex openly (but I think that is a human thing, but I could be wrong)

And the constant double standards that we have for men and women and if women even get close to crossing those double standards, she is considered a slut, whore, lush and all around "unlady like", just look at some of the discussions going on, on GC, my case and point.

We still hold women to Victorian standards and that has to change.

ok this has turned into some kind of rant and I will get off my soap box and I didn't even mean to get on.

Quote:

Originally posted by Private I
Do you think the United States will ever pass such a law?

No, because marriage is not a federal issue. It is handled by the states.

You complain too much. Go bake me a cake or something.

-Rudey

Quote:

Originally posted by ms_gwyn
here are my "subversive" views of the good 'ol USA

This country hates women (really think about it) and is getting more and more purtitanical by the minute. We like the "face" of being progressive, when we really are not at all (as a country).

When we have people making "R" dvd's into "G" dvds for families to watch...COME ON...they weren't meant for families in the first place....where there are less than 75 (being on the nice side) major cities in this country (meaning the major cities are the ones who tend to have more "open" views).

When we still can't talk about sex openly (but I think that is a human thing, but I could be wrong)

And the constant double standards that we have for men and women and if women even get close to crossing those double standards, she is considered a slut, whore, lush and all around "unlady like", just look at some of the discussions going on, on GC, my case and point.

We still hold women to Victorian standards and that has to change.

ok this has turned into some kind of rant and I will get off my soap box and I didn't even mean to get on.

Quote:

Originally posted by Rudey
You complain too much. Go bake me a cake or something.

-Rudey

Hey Rudey,

You give me $200 and I will be glad to bake you a cake (either kind)

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While I do think the U.S. is growing increasingly more puritanical, I don't think it's going to last. As my daddy pointed out to me, the U.S. now is in a state similar to that of the 1950s -- growing more puritanical, suspicious/paranoid of a certain foreign culture, et cetera. However, what followed the 1950s? Certainly NOT a period of extremely puritan values. ;) History goes in cycles. There's only so far this country will be pushed before it swings back in the opposite direction.

Yeah, as long as disco doesn't come back I think we'll be fine.