Saturday, June 12, 2010

Portugal moves further from Catholic control as first gay wedding is celebrated

A lesbian couple has become the first to wed in Portugal, after the new law permitting same-sex marriages came into force last month.

The law was introduced by the left-of-centre government that has also legalised abortion in a country that was, until recently, a Vatican stronghold.

On a visit to the country just last month, the Pope unwisely said same-sex marriage was “an insidious threat” to the fabric of society.

Despite this, the Conservative president signed the new law into effect.

So, as we predicted, as well as the unwelcome change, the Pope has had to swallow the most public slap in the face.

Teresa Pires and Helena Paixao, divorced Portuguese mothers in their 30s who have been together since 2003, married in a 15-minute ceremony at a Lisbon registry office.

Pires said as the couple kissed and hugged: “This is a great victory, a dream come true. Now we’re a family, that’s the important thing."

She added that they would continue to fight for equal rights for homosexuals, including adoption.

SIC: NSS