Jose Maria de la Torre Martin, the
bishop of the Diocese of Aguascalientes, Mexico, found himself in hot
water after criticizing a proposed state law that seeks to allow gay
and lesbian couples to marry.
If approved by lawmakers,
Aguascalientes – the state – would become only the second Mexican
state behind Coahuila to recognize such unions. Gay couples can also
marry in the federal district of Mexico City, where lawmakers
approved a marriage law in 2009. Such unions have also taken place
in Quintana Roo, where the state's civil code is gender neutral.
(Related: Thousands
protest start of gay marriage law in Saltillo, Mexico.)
At a press conference earlier this
month, De la Torre described gays as “inverted.”
“That's the problem: Inverted
values,” he said. “There is a perverse philosophy out to destroy
and rebuild, but in reverse.”
The Catholic bishop claimed this week
that allowing gay couples to marry will lead to “allowing a man to
marry a dog and they can inherit the puppies,” according to local
sources.