Mexico Gay Marriage: Supreme Court Orders All Mexican States To Recognize Weddings Performed In Mexico City

MEXICO CITY — Mexico's Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that all 31 states must recognize same-sex marriages performed in the capital, though its decision does not force those states to begin marrying gay couples in their territory.

In a 9-2 decision, the tribunal cited an article of the constitution requiring states to recognize legal contracts drawn up elsewhere.

It did not specify what degree of recognition must be granted to same-sex couples.

Mexico City's same-sex marriage law, enacted in March, extends to wedded gay couples the right to adopt children, to jointly apply for bank loans, to inherit wealth and to be covered by their spouses' insurance policies. Some of those may end up applying only in the capital.

The Supreme Court ruled last week that same-sex weddings are constitutional – though it is holding separate discussions this week on the adoption clause.

One of the justices, Sergio Aguirre, argued against adoptions by same-sex couples Tuesday, saying children might suffer discrimination as a result.

Comments

[David Eric]

05:04 PM on 08/17/2010

It's ironic that atheists like myself embrace and try to live by the Golden Rule more-so than conservative theists. All of the Abrahamic faiths are anchored by the Golden Rule. However, living by the Golden Rule means accepting uncertainty and relinquishing the delusion of control over Nature -- and this is why almost no one is able to adhere to it. It is this lack of character and courage that causes so much suffering.

I'm one heterosexual-monogamous-husband (of 14 years with no children) who is overjoyed that ALL people will soon enjoy love and marriage the way that my wife and I have been able to. Marriage can be full of joy and very healthy and no human being should ever be denied health and happiness. Prop 8 is dead, we can all walk across the finish-line together this Christmas!

Congratulations to one and all . . . !

[anthonytaurus]

02:58 AM on 08/12/2010

WOW! Mexico is making the US look like.. I don't know what. In the US, you could be murdered by police in a raid because you might have a few marijuana plants. In the US, gay marriage is having a tough time getting any respect in the legal system due to this unhealthy merging of church and state.

In Mexico, they're at least willing to discuss legalization. Drug and cartel crime is due to US interference which has increased in the last few years intensifying a War on Drugs the US is already losing at home and abroad. And, now they've gone and made it so ALL of Mexico has to respect gay marriage.

How did we get so far behind a nation like Mexico in terms of freedom?

I feel like it started decades ago when the US stopped investing in education! We layoff our teachers before we discuss cuts to police departments. We've developed a prison industrial system over an education system. We're losing ground in all aspects of society.

Why? REPUBLICANS! Christian Right! Tea Party! Conservatives!

This nation started a serious dumbing down of the its own people. Now, we're the idiots who can't get it together in the world. Our leaders have become the Saddam Husseins of the US, gutting the people of its wealth so it can go to the few.

This nation will only start getting it right when we save our teachers and rebuild our educational programs.

[Ioan Lightoller]

01:03 PM on 08/16/2010

Viva Mexico! Way to go. Maybe us Americanos can learn something. Nice to see this development!

[shutterbabe]

12:58 AM on 08/17/2010

Me encanta Mexico. I love my country, too. America wants to love freely, too.

[thepoliticalcat]

02:53 AM on 08/12/2010

Lovely. Just lovely. Meanwhile, here at home, the yipping and baying continues apace, for fear that teh ghey might either be considered human or contagious. Back to the 15th century and divil take the hindmost!

[David Moore]

12:19 AM on 08/12/2010

Upstaged by Mexico! It takes considerable chutzpah for the Prop Haters to continue backing their intolerant nonsense. We are right up there with North Korea on human rights abuses, and yet we lecture the world.

[klandish]

01:41 AM on 08/13/2010

Lecture would be one thing but we invade Countries in hopes of spreading our outstanding socially advanced Democratic Humanistic achievements ... yeah right we do. We are looking more like a Country that hasn't advanced Civil Rights in decades.

[lizr]

09:37 PM on 08/11/2010

once again we bring up the rear.

Yea Mexico!

[zelduh]

09:20 PM on 08/11/2010

So neat!

[unimatrix0]

09:07 PM on 08/11/2010

Congrats Mexico, but remember the US is still the becon of freedom for the world. Just pretend we do warrentless wire taps/searches, have secret foreign prisons, hold suspects for years with no charges or attorney, no gay marriage. Yes, we are still #1 if you pretend hard enough.

[tkns]

09:05 PM on 08/11/2010

Once upon a time Iran/Persia was a great empire with a very vibrant culture. They probably had their teabggers that dragged it down too.

[Cristina H]

06:31 PM on 08/11/2010

Mexico finally leading the way on an important constitutional issue; thumbs up!

[shutterbabe]

08:09 PM on 08/11/2010

I know Mexico has its issues and people often form opinions about this country based upon negative press. I am very pleased with this decision as someone who resided near Mexico City for 10 years. I have many gay friends there, committed couples, who are rejoicing at this wonderful news. Get with it, America! We should not be so slow at doing what is right in the name of love.

[entreMundo]

08:39 PM on 08/11/2010

It's amazing, no matter what direction you go from D.F. you come across incredible places... Tlaxiaco, Tepotzlan in Morelos, Queretaro to the north, and Puebla to the south. Lived in Condesa for a few years and have only the fondest memories of it. Really a vibrant (and actually quite safe, comparatively) city, and a heck of a lot of fun.

[zelduh]

09:15 PM on 08/11/2010

Shutterbabe and entreMundo:

Thanks for your support of Mexico as a nice country. I am half Mexican (born in the USA) and I am proud of my heritage.

[shutterbabe]

09:22 PM on 08/11/2010

Hola zelduh, It is an honor to meet you. My heart and soul are Mexican. I understand your pride. Abrazos.

[Js420]

05:08 PM on 08/11/2010

Good job mexico. Making more progress on social issues than us

[entreMundo]

09:08 PM on 08/11/2010

That includes legalization, as well.

[timberdoodle]

04:32 PM on 08/11/2010

Take heart America the Muslim ruled Mid Eastern Countries still don't recognize gay marriages so the U.S. isn't entirely alone fighting this issue.

[lqw]

04:50 PM on 08/11/2010

Move to Mexico.

[Horatio]

05:55 PM on 08/11/2010

Do you have anything else original to add?

[shutterbabe]

08:10 PM on 08/11/2010

I did and it was joyous. Issues?

[LiberalLee]

05:48 PM on 08/11/2010

Take a hike.
Fighting the right of people to be happy.
How that could make someone feel good about themselves is beyond me.

[Horatio]

05:58 PM on 08/11/2010

I love you for knowing that. And you are SO fanned.

[Cori527]

08:22 PM on 08/11/2010

Right on.

[anitaj]

04:30 PM on 08/11/2010

Yea!!!

[stevencan]

04:01 PM on 08/11/2010

Apparently I have been banned from commenting. Could it be because I actually have a lot of first-hand knowledge of the subject? When I was trying to reply to a comment, I was given a message
SORRY BUT YOU HAVE BEEN BANNED FROM COMMENTING. WTF? This post is a test.

[zelduh]

09:18 PM on 08/11/2010

I think HuffPo is a little buggy today. It'll get better, I'm sure.

[Mia Jaianya]

03:43 PM on 08/11/2010

Good for you Mexico...:)

[DSOTM]

03:35 PM on 08/11/2010

Well on the bright side, Gay-Mexicans are one demographic that won't be immigrating to Arizona anytime soon.

[Horatio]

05:56 PM on 08/11/2010

Why do you say that? The climate for sexual minorities in Mexico is terrifying.

[entreMundo]

06:52 PM on 08/11/2010

I'm sure you mean well, but you're wrong – who told you that?

Learn a bit more. Read about the town of Juchitan. The history of homosexuality in indigenous culture.

Sure, rural areas anywhere on earth are rough places to be gay or transgender and yes violence has occurred, notably in the southern state of Chiapas. Mexico as a whole though, despite its machismo, has an incredibly tolerant, live-and-let live culture.