Mexican Supreme Court Justice Urges States to Legalize Same-Sex Marriage

(Baonghean.vn) - A Mexican Supreme Court judge said that it is time for Mexico's top court to give a "green signal" for same-sex marriage, and state leaders should include the issue in state laws.

Participants in a parade in Mexico City on June 27.

The court ruled on June 19 that the law, which limits marriage to a man and a woman, is inappropriate. The decision, based on five separate principles, means that same-sex couples can marry by court order in states that have not legalized same-sex marriage. However, until state legislatures change their laws, couples must petition the court on a case-by-case basis.

Same-sex marriage remains illegal in all but two of Mexico's 31 states. Mexico City became the first capital in Latin America to allow same-sex marriage in 2009. Only the states of Coahuila and Quintana Roo followed suit.

Sanchez, a liberal spokeswoman for the court, acknowledged that the gap between the court and the state convention could be years long. But she said the justices would continue to rule on same-sex couples.

The near-unanimous decision by Mexico's top court has been criticized by conservative and religious groups. Mexico has the world's second-largest Roman Catholic population, and a survey found that 48 percent of respondents opposed same-sex marriage, compared with 43 percent in favor.

“Some people are for it, some are against it, but we can’t judge people by their sexual orientation – we see them as other citizens,” Sanchez said. “They are people who are demanding rights and we are looking at how to protect their rights.”

Phuong Thao

(According to Reuters)