Mexicans celebrate same-sex marriage

In January I wrote a post about Mexico City's new law legalizing gay marriage. Today hundreds of couples registered for licenses, and the first weddings will take place within the next week or so. This is a huge step for Latin America as it is the region's first same-sex marriage law. Political leaders and activists supporting the law hope it will set an example for the rest of the region.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100304/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/lt_mexico_gay_marriage

Mexico City defends gay marriage

Mexico City's mayor Marcelo Ebrard said today the city will continue to defend its gay marriage laws. The federal Attorney General office filed a challenge with the Supreme Court this week on the premise that the law violates constitutional stances on the family and the protection of children. However, the mayor remains adamant in his stance that the Mexican constitution does not ban gay marriage or the adoption of children by gay couples, and the first same-sex marriages are set to be carried out in early May while the Supreme Court hears the case.

While many Americans don't think to compare Mexican politics to those of the U.S., there is a clear parallel in Mexico City's struggles with gay marriage policy and the struggles occurring in the United States. This is just one example of a huge issue in the U.S. that the Mexican people also find important. What happens in Mexico City could influence future legislation in the U.S.