Spain sees first
same-sex divorce

Less than a year after Spain became one of only four nations to legalize same-sex marriage, the country is seeing its first same-sex divorce, reports the Spanish newspaper El Mundo. The high-profile split comes complete with a custody fight over the couple's dogs.

Public officials said the divorce proceedings were private and would confirm only that the unnamed men were married in a Madrid suburb last October. The claimant said in a petition that he had dedicated his life to the relationship, giving up a modeling career and abandoning his dog hairdressing business to follow his partner, who had found work in France.

Some 1,300 gay and and lesbian couples have wedded in Spain since same-sex marriage was legalized last summer. The marriage legislation gives same-sex unions the same status as heterosexual ones, including inheritance rights and adoption. (The Advocate)