Yucatan legislature may face gay marriage vote for 3rd time

Advocates of marriage equality make their case before lawmakers in Yucatan. Photo: Punto Medio

Merida, Yucatan — Undaunted by two defeats in the state Congress, activists and defenders of same-sex marriage will present a citizen initiative to modify Yucatan’s Constitution.

One marriage-equality proponent, Adelaida Salas Salazar, vowed to collect enough signatures this summer to push the measure before lawmakers in September.

“We present the initiative and Congress has the obligation to legislate it,” she said. “It is by no means a finished matter; in no way are we going to remain silent.”

According to Salas Salazar, 3,500 signatures have been collected so far. Activists are combing any place where crowds gather — from beaches to city parks — with their petition.

But federal judges might make the petition moot.

An amparo filed before Mexico’s Supreme Court, that would override the legislature and make gay marriage legal in Yucatan, is pending. The high court ruled in 2015 that gay marriage bans are unconstitutional.

“It is a protection against … discrimination and because the deputies are violating the law; equal marriage is approved throughout the nation. Equal marriage is a fact,” she said. “That is, if you go to Campeche, you get married, if you go to Quintana Roo, they already have their tour packages for their diversity weddings,” she said.

Same-sex couples are free to marry in Mexico City and 18 of Mexico’s 31 states.

Source: Punto Medio

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