Coahuila on Monday became the first
Mexican state to legislatively legalize marriage for gay and lesbian
couples.
Lawmakers approved (19-3) changes to
the state's civil code which give gay and straight couples equal
marital rights, including adoption, Mexican
media reported.
The state's civil code was altered from
defining marriage as a “union between a man and a woman for the
purpose of procreation” to “a union between two people with the
possibility of procreation or adoption.”
The changes were proposed by Leftist
Congressman Samuel Acevedo, who said his
proposal was opposed by the Catholic Church and social
conservative groups.
Coahuila previously recognized gay
couples with civil unions.
Gay couples can also marry in Mexico
City, where lawmakers approved a marriage law in 2009. Mexico City
is a federal district, not a state, much like the District of
Columbia. Such unions have also taken place in Quintana Roo, where
the state's civil code is gender neutral.
Coahuila's neighbor to the north is
Texas.