Add another nation to the list of those who have taken a step far ahead of the U.S. when it comes to gay & lesbian equality. Spain’s government has approved a preliminary bill that would allow same sex marriages.
The Spanish government has approved a draft law which will legalise homosexual marriages.
The bill gives same-sex couples the same rights as heterosexual couples, including the right to adopt children.
The Roman Catholic Church and conservative opposition have fiercely opposed the move, which opinion polls suggest has the public’s support.
If the bill is approved by parliament, it will make Spain the third EU country to authorise gay marriages.
Ever feel like the parade is passing you by?
If nothing else, some people on this side of the Atlantic are figuring out ways to fight back.
The institution of marriage is in crisis but not because of gays, says a Democratic political consultant who has formed a group to fight passage of a state constitutional amendment that would ban gay marriages.
Threats to marriage are no-fault divorce and domestic violence, said Jason Stanford, whose group is called Practice What You Preach. He said the Legislature should concentrate on laws that would bolster traditional marriages instead of grandstanding on what he sees as a discriminatory amendment that accomplishes nothing.
“That amendment, win or lose, means gay marriage is still illegal in Texas. Win or lose, marriage is still in crisis in Texas,” he said. “The question is whether the Texas Legislature is going to quit the hypocrisy and focus on the real problems.”
