LISBON – The Portuguese parliament has passed the socialist government’s Bill to legalise same-sex marriages, which prime minister José Sócrates says is a historic step in the country’s fight against discrimination.
Mr Sócrates’s minority government pushed the Bill through the house yesterday with support from left-wing parties, while alternative proposals by the centre-right opposition for civil partnerships and a referendum on the issue were rejected.
“It is a small change in the law, but a very important and symbolic step to fully realise values that are pillars of open, tolerant and democratic societies – freedom, equality and non-discrimination,” Mr Sócrates told parliament ahead of the vote.
The Bill gives those in gay marriages the same rights as people in heterosexual marriages, including rights on taxes, inheritance and housing. However, it does not allow them to adopt children.
The move marks another modernising step for this predominantly Catholic country, especially after abortion was legalised in 2007. The Catholic Church however warned against the move.
“Millenary culture deems marriage as a contract between a man and a woman,” said Bishop Dom José Policarpo, Lisbon patriarch. “Changing this understanding of what is a family can have extremely grave consequences in the future.”
The Bill needs to be ratified by conservative president Aníbal Cavaco Silva. If he approves it, Portugal will join Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, South Africa and Canada in allowing gay marriages, all of which allow gay married couples to adopt children as well.
The Left Bloc and Green parties, which supported the Bill, criticised the government for leaving out adoption rights. – ( Reuters)