Mexico's Supreme Court ruled Monday
that gay adoptions included in Mexico City's gay marriage law are
constitutional, the AP reported.
In its 9 to 2 decision the court
rejected federal prosecutors' arguments that the law was detrimental
to children. It is the latest defeat for the country's conservative
government which had challenged the city's law.
Lawmakers in the country's capital
approved the gay marriage law in December and couples began marrying
in March. About 320 gay couples have married so far, city officials
announced two weeks ago. Previously, the city recognized gay couples
with civil unions but banned gay couples from adopting.
The country's federal government, which
is controlled by the conservative PAN Party, had appealed to the
Supreme Court. But the court has sided with the city in three
separate decisions.
Two weeks ago, the court declared the
gay marriage law to be constitutional, and last week, in a similar 9
to 2 vote, it said that while states are not obligated to legalize
gay marriage, they must honor the marriages performed in Mexico City,
in effect, legalizing gay marriage recognition throughout the
country.
“There is no significant difference
between heterosexual or homosexual parenting,” Justice Arturo
Zaldivar said last Thursday.
Mexico City lawmakers approved the law
over the strong objections of local PAN leaders and the Roman
Catholic Church.
Mexico's Roman Catholic archbishop,
Cardinal Noberto Rivera Carrera, called the law “immoral” and
“reprehensible.”
Mexico City was the first autonomous
government to legalize gay marriage in Latin America, and several
countries in the region have followed its lead. Argentina
approved a gay marriage law last month. Chile,
the last country on the continent to allow divorce, Uruguay, and
Paraguay say they'll consider a gay marriage law. Peru will
debate a bill that recognizes gay and lesbian couples with civil
unions.