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Portugal Moves Toward Marriage


Anibal Cavaco Silva PORTUGAL X390 (GETTY) | ADVOCATE.COM

The Roman Catholic nation of Portugal may soon become the sixth European country to legalize same-sex marriage.

A marriage equality proposal, supported by the majority party in parliament, is wending its way through the Socialist government, reports the Associated Press. If passed by parliament, which looks likely, the legislation will be sent to the nation's conservative president, Anibal Cavaco Silva (pictured) — if he vetoes the bill, parliament can override his decision.

The proposal will most likely be debated by lawmakers in January, and if passed, will allow gay marriages in April — just weeks before the pope arrives in Portugal for a four-day official visit.

Currently, European nations that allow gay marriage include Belgium, Holland, Norway, Spain, and Sweden.

Read the full story here.

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Reader Comments
  • Name: Roger Burr
    Date posted: 12/18/2009 4:22:02 PM
    Hometown: Marble Hill

    Comment:

    I look forward to seeing Portugal join its equally Catholic neighbor; Spain, in granting marriage equality. And to see it codified into law just before the visit from the Hitler Youth member, is too delicious not to be savored! Right on, Portugal!!

  • Name: michaelandfred
    Date posted: 12/17/2009 6:42:23 PM
    Hometown: miami beach

    Comment:

    What's crazy is that many of these countries are real, "old world" religious countries. The Pope lives next door! Catholics in Europe don't "talk" religion, they BELIEVE. But they believe in the message, the intent and realize that the bible is about teaching an idea of personal faith and written for a different time. That said, they also believe in individual liberties and that THIER beliefs are their personal beliefs. America is unique in the West in believing that MY religion should be YOUR religion and if you won't change they will change it for you. We talk a good story about freedom and liberties but we could take a lesson from Europe, and Canada, on what that really means. Maybe because Europe already had it's bloody years of religion as a weapon and came out the other side wiser and we are still so young.

  • Name: Michael Banks
    Date posted: 12/17/2009 4:53:54 PM
    Hometown: Montreal

    Comment:

    Of course these are European Countries but do not forget that Canada is the 1st Country in North America to legalize marriage between the same sex since 2005.

  • Name: Dj
    Date posted: 12/17/2009 4:51:26 PM
    Hometown: Oslo

    Comment:

    The writer of this article missed a few countries that allow same-sex marriage, most obviously Canada (where we were married), South Africa, etc. I have wondered for a long time why folks in the U.S. don't cite these other countries' successes with the issue. I currently live with my wife in Norway where the issue of gay and lesbian people is a non-issue. Yes, the Christian conservatives tried to block the passage of the marriage bill with the same old tired arguments used in the US -- "we must protect the children" yada, yada, yada, but their vitriol was defeated and gay marriage became a reality in Norway on January 1st this year, after 16 years of recognizing domestic partnerships. The only difference between the domestic partnership laws and the marriage law had to do with adoptions and artificial inseminations, which are now legal for all married couples.

  • Name: Daniel S
    Date posted: 12/17/2009 2:41:30 PM
    Hometown: New Hope, PA

    Comment:

    Meanwhile, the American "Left" is busy dodging "controversial" issues like DADT! There are times when I feel like a peasant in this overly-smug land of "Liberty"...



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