Mexico City Legalizes Gay Marriage

Mexico City became the first Latin American city to legalize same-sex marriage Monday when the capital's local assembly passed a gay marriage bill 39-20, prompting an ebullient public celebration in the Roman Catholic nation’s capital. Religiosity remains, however, a sticking point with the bill’s impassioned opponents: College of Catholic Attorneys President Armando Martinez says the new law has "given Mexicans the most bitter Christmas," and conservatives have already vowed to challenge gay marriage law in the courts. The bill will change the definition of marriage as well as allowing same-sex couples to adopt and enjoy the same legal rights as heterosexual couples. Only seven countries allow gay marriage: Belgium, Canada, Norway, the Netherlands, Spain, South Africa, and Sweden.