Mexico City Becomes the First Latin American City to Approve a Gay Marriage Law

Mexico City showed more bravery then many North of the Border States this year when it came to gay rights, and just in time for Christmas, too:

Mexico City has become the first city in Latin America to legalise same-sex marriage, giving gay couples more rights, including allowing them to adopt children.

The bill passed the capital's local assembly by 39 votes to 20 yesterday as supporters chanted: "Yes, we could! Yes, we could!" [...]

The change will enable same-sex couples to adopt, apply for bank loans, inherit wealth and be included in the insurance policies of their spouse – rights they were denied under the civil unions allowed in the city.

"We are so happy," said Temistocles Villanueva, a 23-year-old film student, who celebrated the new legislation by kissing his boyfriend outside the city assembly.

Congratulations to Mexico City's assembly for seeing that we are all God's children, and we all deserve equal rights under the law. Unfortunately, and predictably, the conservative National Action Party (PAN) government of President Felipe Calderón has announced that it plans to mount a court challenge to the action taken by Mexico City. Calderon, as you may recall came into office under a cloud of suspicion regarding election irregularities, and his administration has been plagued by scandals. Sound familiar?