Both Portugal's
Socialist and Social Democratic parties Friday rejected
proposals to allow same-sex marriage. Despite a push by the
Green and Left Bloc, two minor opposition parties,
legislators in the mostly Roman Catholic country voted
against gay marriage, the Associated Press reports.
Both Portugal's
Socialist and Social Democratic parties Friday rejected
proposals to allow same-sex marriage. Despite a push by the
Green and Left Bloc, two minor opposition parties,
legislators in the mostly Roman Catholic country voted
against gay marriage, the Associated Press reports.
The motion for
marriage equality garnered only 28 votes out of the
230-seat parliament. The opposition parties, which presented
the legislation, argued that the constitution grants
equal rights and discrimination protection.
Though the ruling
Socialist Party overcame opposition from the Catholic
Church to legalize abortion in 2007, party leaders say that
legalizing marriage first requires a national
discussion.
"A change of this
depth and complexity should be made only after a
considered discussion and after broad support has built up
for it in Portuguese society, inside and outside
political parties, so that a clear and unequivocal
political undertaking can be given," the party said in
a statement.
Fifty-three
percent of Portuguese say they oppose same-sex marriage,
while 42% support it, according to a Coimbra University poll
published in the Jornal de Noticias newspaper
on Friday.
Belgium, the
Netherlands, and Spain are the only European Union countries
to permit same-sex marriage. (Michelle Garcia, The
Advocate)
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