Jan 13, 2007Articles: Mexican state approves civil unions - gay and straight
By vanrozenheim
(MEXICO) - The northern Mexican state of Coahuila became Friday the third Latin American jurisdiction to approve gay civil unions, but the new law bars same-sex couples from adopting children. The new law, which follows similar moves in Mexico City and Buenos Aires, allows same-sex as well as heterosexual couples to register as "civil or united companions." But the law, which passed the state legislature in a 20-13 vote, bars gay couples from adopting or getting custody of children.
"The civil union pact represents a sensible response to the existence of citizens who traditionally have been victims of discrimination, humiliation and abuse," said deputy Julieta Lopez of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), whose 19 members voted for the law.
Luis Alberto Mendoza of President Felipe Calderon's National Action Party, which opposed civil unions, said the new law is an "attack against the family, which is society's natural group and is formed by a man and a woman."
Mexico City approved same-sex civil unions in November, while Buenos Aires has recognized them since 2002.
