Spain legalises gay marriage

2005-06-30 11:14

Supporters of gay marriages celebrate under the gay flag outside the Spanish parliament in Madrid. (Jasper Juinen, AP)

Madrid - Parliament legalised gay marriage on Thursday, defying conservatives and clergy to make traditionally Roman Catholic Spain the fourth country in the world to legally recognise same-sex unions.

Canada on Wednesday became the third country to legalise gay marriages. The Netherlands and Belgium are the only other nations that allow gay marriage nationwide.

The vote in the 350-seat Congress of Deputies was 187 in favour, 147 against and four abstentions.

Gays and lesbians watching from the spectator section of the ornate chamber waved to lawmakers and blew them kisses after the final tally was announced.

The law - sponsored by Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero and his ruling Socialists as part of an agenda for bold social reforms just a year after taking office - gives gay couples the same rights to inheritance and to adopt children as heterosexual married couples.

The first marriages of gay couples can begin after the law is published in Spain's official journal, expected as early as 15 days, gay rights activists said.

- AP