Portuguese Parliament Passes First Hurdle In Marriage Equality Vote

Portugal has joined Spain, Belgium, Sweden, Norway, and the Netherlands in permitting same-sex couples to marry. The bill passed the Portuguese Parliament with all Center Left and Left parties supporting it, and all Right and Center Right parties opposing it. Portugal is a predominantly Catholic nation, and the Vatican is heavily opposed to allowing marriage rights for same-sex couples. Prime Minister Jose Socrates opened the debate with an impassioned plea for people to support the bill citing the fact that it would set right a wrong that had caused pain for gays and lesbians in Portugal. The Parliament rejected a bill that would have allowed same-sex couples to adopt, but it also rejected a proposal which would have put this matter to a popular vote.

The proposal for the popular vote garnered 90,000 signatures, but was voted down. The debate was often heated. Rightist parties tried to propose a bill which would have expanded civil unions, which Portugal already has, but that too was rejected. The popular vote strategy has been one that has had success in the United States, and it is why some states are unwilling to allow those votes to go through.

The final vote on the bill has not occurred, but it is mostly a formality. The bill will go before a committee before coming back for a final vote. It is then up to the conservative President of Portugal, Anibal Cavaco Silva, to ratify or veto the bill. If ratified, it will take effect in April, a month before Pope Benedict visits the country. If it is vetoed, then the Parliament must try to override that veto.

LGBT Rights groups are planning to continue the pressure for adoption and parental rights in Portugal. There are no vote tallies currently available regarding this bill.

Same-sex marriage law backed in Portugal’s parliament