Portugal becomes 6th European country to allow gay marriage after president's OK

[FreeState]

Source: The Associated Press

LISBON, Portugal — Portugal's conservative president says he has decided to ratify a law allowing gay marriage in the predominantly Catholic country.

The head of state's decision to permit the enactment of a bill passed by Parliament in January makes Portugal the sixth European country allowing same-sex couples to wed.

President Anibal Cavaco Silva announced his decision Monday.

The Socialist government's bill was backed by all of Portugal's left-of-centre parties, who together have a majority in Parliament. Right-of-center parties opposed the measure and demanded a national referendum.

Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5ihL70MfBVrGAIJwNb0DZecQtB-sw

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Yeah for Europe... now lets get some of that equality imported to the states ASAP!

[iandhr]

1. unfortunately

we are not there yet. I have faith that some day we will be there

[UrbScotty]

2. Portugal's president ratifies gay marriage law

Source: MSNBC

Portugal's conservative president said he is reluctantly ratifying a law allowing gay marriage, making the predominantly Catholic country the sixth in Europe to let same-sex couples wed.

President Anibal Cavaco Silva said Monday he would not veto the bill because majority liberal lawmakers would only overturn his decision. The country must focus instead on battling a crippling economic crisis that has increased unemployment and deepened poverty, he said.

"Given that fact, I feel I should not contribute to a pointless extension of this debate, which would only serve to deepen the divisions between the Portuguese and divert the attention of politicians away from the grave problems affecting us," Cavaco Silva said.

Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/37195539/ns/world_news-europe/

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:loveya:

[RKP5637]

3. +1000 +++ n/t

[msongs]

4. gay marriage is good for business. n here we are stuck with DADT nt

[Fearless]

5. And another domino falls...

:applause:

[naaman fletcher]

6. Portugal is great, all drugs are legal too..

And since then violence has plummeted. Not many people go there, you should.

[David__77]

7. Thanks to the Left Bloc, Communists, and Greens for forcing the Socialists to change their minds.

Marriage equality was soundly defeated in 2008 when the center-left Socialists opposed it. Only the Left Bloc (fusion of various Marxist groups), Communists, and Greens supported it. Their persistence paid off and forced the Socialists to stand up for what they SAY they believe in: human rights. Too bad there's no left opposition in this country to force the Democrats to do the same...