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.

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):

UPDATE II: 4:58 PM EDT –
Reuters is reporting the President has also acted to expand rights for transgender people:

 

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. 

Image via Wikimedia