MADRID, June 30, 2005 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Spain’s Socialist-led government legalized same-sex “marriage” today. The measure, which passed by a margin of 187-147 in Spain’s Congress of Deputies, also legalizes the adoption of children by homosexual couples, and grants them inheritance rights.
The bill passed despite the opposition and indignation of Spain’s population, as evidenced by the well over one million strong crowd gathered to oppose the pending legislation in Madrid on June 18. In addition, a Catholic group, the Spanish Family Forum, presented a petition signed by 600,000 Spanish citizens opposed to same-sex “marriage” to parliament Wednesday.
The conservative opposition Popular Party vigorously opposed the bill in the house. After passage of the bill several members shouted “This is a disgrace.” Leader Mariano Rajoy argued that there must be a reason why the vast majority of the world’s countries oppose same-sex “marriage”– many of them led by socialists like in Spain. “I think the prime minister has committed a grave act of irresponsibility,” he said.
Socialist Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, in debate before passage of the bill, boasted, “We were not the first, but I am sure we will not be the last,” according to an AP report. Zapatero, perhaps referring to the pending Senate approval of same-sex “marriage” legislation for Canada expected late in July, added, “After us will come many other countries, driven, ladies and gentlemen, by two unstoppable forces: freedom and equality.”
Same-sex “marriages” will begin as soon as the law is entered in the official government registry – expected Friday, or at latest within two weeks.
See related LifeSiteNews.com coverage:
Spanish Socialists to Face More Massive Rallies against Same-Sex “Marriage”
https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2005/jun/05062904.html
International Media Massively Under-Report Numbers at 1,000,000+ Spain Pro-Marriage Demonstration
https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2005/jun/05062001.html
World’s Largest Marriage Rally in Madrid Marked by Festive Spirit
https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2005/jun/05062004.html
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