Will Portugal Legalize Same-Sex Marriage?

by Michael Jones · 2009-09-27 19:25:00 UTC
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Portugal held some elections over the weekend, and Socialist leader Jose Socrates is set for another four years as Prime Minister. Why is that significant? Because Socrates vowed to legalize same-sex marriage if he was re-elected. If he's prepared to follow through on his campaign promises, then marriage equality advocates should start counting down the days until another country is added to the same-sex marriage train.

As the AP notes, Socrates' push for same-sex marriage will be a direct challenge to the Catholic Church. Portugal is predominantly Catholic, and the Church (read Vatican) has spoken very loudly against reproductive rights and LGBT rights. Two years ago, Portugal legalized abortion under his watch. And now they might legalize same-sex marriage.

But there's no reason to waffle on equal rights, no matter what the Catholic Church might say. Here's just hoping that if the country does legalize same-sex marriage, they do it before Pope Benedict XVI is scheduled to visit the country in May 2010. It could do Benedict some good to see some happily married gay couples.

(Photo courtesy of Ricardo-Pereira's photostream on Flickr.)

Michael Jones is a Change.org Editor. He has worked in the field of human rights communications for a decade, most recently for Harvard Law School.
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