The Hindu : International : Church slams gay marriage law

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Saturday, Apr 23, 2005

International

International

Church slams gay marriage law

MADRID: Spain has become the third country in Europe to legalise gay marriage, with Parliament also giving same-sex couples the right to adopt children. The move by the Socialist Government of this traditionally Roman Catholic country on Thursday provoked the ire of the church, which has found itself increasingly at odds with the Prime Minister, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, since he took power a year ago. A petition signed by half a million opponents of gay marriage had earlier been handed in to Parliament. "This is a historic day for everybody who believes in equality, justice and rights," said Beatriz Gimeno, president of the country's Federation of Lesbians, Gays and Transexuals. Catholic, Protestant, Jewish and Islamic leaders, however, joined together on Thursday to condemn the new law, which looks set to be rubber-stamped by Spain's Upper House, the Senate, before the summer.

- Guardian Newspapers Limited 2005

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