Couples in Mexico Cue for Marriage Licenses

March 08, 2010

Couples lined up in Mexico’s capital on Thursday to receive marriage licences after the city’s gay marriage law came into effect, making it the first jurisdiction in Latin America to do so. 

Couples can officially tie the knot within a week to 10 days, after the paperwork has been processed.

Protesters for gay marriage at the 2009 Marcha Gay in Mexico City

Mexico’s legislature approved the law in December, which grants same-sex couples additional rights and benefits out of their reach in the city’s previous civil unions law. Gay couples now have equal rights on par with their heterosexual counterparts, including applying for bank loans together and adopting children.

"This is great, it is a feeling of relief, of celebration, everything," said Daniel Ramos, 20, speaking to the Associated Press.

"For Latin America, this is not only a precedent, but an example to follow." Ramos plans to marry his boyfriend under the new law.

Despite the feat, gay rights advocates face an uphill battle. The law currently applies solely to Mexico City, and opponents say they intend to stunt any attempts to spread the law to the country’s other states. Currently, any marriage performed in one state must be recognized by the others.

"What we still have to do is take this battle to all the states in the country," said activist Jaime Cobian, who was possession of documents from couples in other states who also wish to marry.

Mexico City will not be the first in Latin America to hold a gay wedding. That feat went to Argentina, where a couple wed there late last year. Debate is underway over whether Argentina’s constitution permits gay couples to marry, with the question currently before the nation’s Supreme Court.

Image source: Thelmadatter