Portugal’s Gay Marriage Proposal
Portugal is likely to become the sixth European nation -- after Belgium, Norway, Sweden, Spain and the Netherlands -- to legalize gay marriage. The Portuguese government has proposed to change the country's official definition of marriage to include same-sex unions.
Portugal is likely to become the sixth European nation — after Belgium, Norway, Sweden, Spain and the Netherlands — to legalize gay marriage. The Portuguese government has proposed to change the country’s official definition of marriage to include same-sex unions. –KA
Your support matters…AP via Google News:
The law is almost certain to pass, as the center-left Socialist government has the support of all left-of-center parties, who together have a majority in Parliament. Right-of-center parties oppose the measure.
The proposal changes Portuguese law to remove references to marriage being between two people of different sexes, Cabinet Minister Pedro Silva Pereira told a news conference Thursday, adding the government will send its proposal to lawmakers for a debate, probably in January.
If approved by Parliament, the proposed law goes to Portugal’s conservative President Anibal Cavaco Silva, who can ratify or veto it. A veto can be overturned by Parliament.
If there is no presidential veto, the first gay marriage ceremonies could take place in April — a month before Pope Benedict XVI is due on a four-day official visit.
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