Marriage equality defeated by Yucatan lawmakers

In a secret ballot, the plenary of the Yucatan state congress voted against a marriage equality bill that was forwarded by a committee Tuesday.

Fifteen lawmakers voted against the measure, with nine in favor and one abstention by PAN Rep. Kathia Bolio Pinelo. Passage would have required 17 “yes” votes out of 25.

The session was attended by more than 100 members of the public, both for and against same-sex marriage in Yucatan.

Moments before the session, several people prayed at the doors of the plenary hall.

In favor of the project, the deputies Milagros Romero Bastarrachea (Movimiento Ciudadano ) and Fátima Perera Salazar (Morena) spoke from the perspective of human rights equality for all.

Voting was accomplished by secret paper ballot despite a request by Silvia López Escoffié (MC) for a traditional show of hands or electronic tally.

A PAN lawmaker, Rosa Adriana Díaz Lizama, attempted to clear photographers from the chamber, but that request was ignored by PRI representative Castillo Ruz on the grounds of press freedom.

Source: Punto Medio