UPDATING: President of Mexico Calls for Nationwide Legalization of Same-Sex Marriage
Mexican President Brings Nation Closer to Equality
The President of Mexico is calling for the legalization of marriage for same-sex couples nationwide. Over the past few years, region by region, courts have struck down marriage bans. Now, Presidente Enrique Peña Nieto wants to reform the Constitution of Mexico to extend marriage to same-sex couples.
“This way, equal marriage will be clear in our constitution,” Pena Nieto said at an IDAHOT event “marking the national day against homophobia,” AFP reports.
#BREAKING Mexico’s president proposes legalizing gay marriage nationwide
— AFP news agency (@AFP) May 17, 2016
Journalist Rex Wockner is a leading authority on the state of same-sex marriage worldwide. On Monday he called Mexico “the current hotspot of the marriage-equality movement.”
He explains, “unlike in the U.S., there is no possibility for a single ruling from the highest court that will overturn same-sex marriage bans nationwide. Even the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation (SCJN) will have to go state by state,” and concludes, “it’s complicated.”
Mexico has nearly 120 million people.
UPDATE I: 3:37 PM EDT –
President Peña Nieto just posted these tweets (click to “view translation” for English):
Por un @Mexico incluyente que reconoce en la diversidad, una de sus mayores fortalezas #SinHomofobia. pic.twitter.com/6ooZGuPEsD
— Enrique Peña Nieto (@EPN) May 17, 2016
Firmé iniciativas de reforma para impulsar que el #MatrimonioIgualitario quede plasmado en la Constitución y en el Código Civil Federal.
— Enrique Peña Nieto (@EPN) May 17, 2016
Reiteré el compromiso del @gobmx de combatir todo tipo de discriminación, incluyendo la motivada por preferencias sexuales #SinHomofobia
— Enrique Peña Nieto (@EPN) May 17, 2016
UPDATE II: 4:58 PM EDT –
Reuters is reporting the President has also acted to expand rights for transgender people:
BREAKING: Mexico’s president says he has signed reform initiative to allow marriage equality and changing gender on birth certificate.
— Reuters Top News (@Reuters) May 17, 2016
Â
This is a breaking news and developing story. Details may change. This story will be updated, and NCRM will likely publish follow-up stories on this news. Stay tuned and refresh for updates.Â
Image via Wikimedia
Enjoy this piece?
… then let us make a small request. The New Civil Rights Movement depends on readers like you to meet our ongoing expenses and continue producing quality progressive journalism. Three Silicon Valley giants consume 70 percent of all online advertising dollars, so we need your help to continue doing what we do.
NCRM is independent. You won’t find mainstream media bias here. From unflinching coverage of religious extremism, to spotlighting efforts to roll back our rights, NCRM continues to speak truth to power. America needs independent voices like NCRM to be sure no one is forgotten.
Every reader contribution, whatever the amount, makes a tremendous difference. Help ensure NCRM remains independent long into the future. Support progressive journalism with a one-time contribution to NCRM, or click here to become a subscriber. Thank you. Click here to donate by check.