Gay Couples Marry in Mexico City

Four same-sex couples became the first to marry Thursday in Mexico City under the new marriage equality law.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the ceremony took place in the courtyard of the Municipal Palace, decorated with lilies and attended by Mayor Marcelo Ebrard and the heads of the city legislature and the highest court.

"The law was passed by the Mexico City legislature in December and applies only to the capital," reports the Los Angeles Times. "It is the most far-reaching gay-rights law in Latin America and one of several measures that have put the city and its leaders at odds with the more conservative country."

Two women, Judith Vazquez and Lol Kin Castaneda, were the very first to marry, dressed in ivory white wedding dresses.

Protesters also were present.

"Outside the Municipal Palace on the edge of downtown's vast Zocolo plaza, several dozen demonstrators in green T-shirts waved signs proclaiming marriage as the union of man and woman. 'Don't get confused! the signs said," according to the Los Angeles Times.

The federal government led by President Felipe Calderon, a conservative Catholic, is challenging the new marriage equality law in court, but a ruling is not expected for more than a year.