December 17th, 2009
In November we informed you that the current government in Portugal was planning on crafting legislation to enact marriage equality. They now have done so. (AP)
Portugal’s Socialist government has drawn up a proposal that would make Portugal the sixth European country to allow gay marriage.
The law is almost certain to pass, as the center-left Socialist government has the support of all left-of-center parties, who together have a majority in Parliament. Right-of-center parties oppose the measure.
The proposal changes Portuguese law to remove references to marriage being between two people of different sexes, Cabinet Minister Pedro Silva Pereira told a news conference Thursday, adding the government will send its proposal to lawmakers for a debate, probably in January.
The bill is almost certain to pass. If signed by the President, same-sex marriages might occur as early as April.
The bill may also be vetoed by the conservative President. I’ve not determined if supporters have the 2/3rds necessary to override a veto.
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joel
December 17th, 2009
6th? Spain, Norway?, Netherland?, Belgium?, … im missing one…
Timothy Kincaid
December 17th, 2009
Joel,
Sixth European, eighth overall
Netherlands 2001
Belgium 2003
Spain 2005
Canada 2005
South Africa 2006
Sweden 2009
Norway 2009
And, we hope
Portugal 2010
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