- Title: Mexico's president proposes allowing same sex marriage nationally
- Date: 17th May 2016
- Summary: MEXICO CITY, MEXICO (MAY 17, 2016) (REUTERS) **** WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY **** WOMEN IN AUDIENCE AT MEXICAN GOVERNMENT EVENT FOR INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST HOMOPHOBIA (IDAHOT) SIGN THAT READS INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST HOMOPHOBIA PRESIDENT ENRIQUE PENA NIETO AND OFFICIALS ARRIVING AT EVENT PANEL APPLAUDING VARIOUS OF PENA NIETO SIGNING REFORM INITIATION FOR MARRIAGE FOR SAME-SEX COUPLES TO BE RECOGNISED NATIONALLY PENA NIETO SHOWING OFF SIGNED DOCUMENTS GENERAL VIEW OF GOVERNMENT EVENT (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) PRESIDENT ENRIQUE PENA NIETO SAYING: "To recognise as a human right that people can get married without any discrimination. That is to say that marriage will be allowed without discrimination, regardless of ethnicity, disability, social conditions, health conditions, religion, gender or sexual preference." AUDIENCE APPLAUDING AT EVENT (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) PRESIDENT ENRIQUE PENA NIETO SAYING: "I will send a reform initiative of the federal civil code for marriage equality so that (marriage) is available without discrimination to people over the age of 18 and in accordance to the law established in regards to the rights of girls, boys and adolescents." MORE OF AUDIENCE APPLAUDING AT EVENT (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) PRESIDENT ENRIQUE PENA NIETO SAYING: "This ensures that in our country that all Mexicans regardless of their social condition, religion, sexual preference, ethnicity have the opportunity for complete (marriage)." MORE OF AUDIENCE APPLAUDING AT EVENT
- Embargoed: 1st June 2016 22:52
- Keywords: Mexico gay marriage President Enrique Pena Nieto legalisation
- Location: MEXICO CITY, MEXICO
- City: MEXICO CITY, MEXICO
- Country: Mexico
- Topics: Society/Social Issues
- Reuters ID: LVA0014I76QTF
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Mexico's president on Tuesday (May 17) proposed allowing same sex marriage nationally, the latest in a series of progressive policies in a traditionally conservative country.
The presidency announced on Twitter that President Enrique Pena Nieto had "announced the signing of a reform initiative which includes the recognition of the right to get married without any form of discrimination."
At an event in Mexico City to mark the International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHOT), Pena Nieto reaffirmed his intentions to make marriage equality a reality across the country.
"To recognise as a human right that people can get married without any discrimination. That is to say that marriage will be allowed without discrimination, regardless of ethnicity, disability, social conditions, health conditions, religion, gender or sexual preference," said Pena Nieto.
Same sex marriage is currently permitted in Mexico City, as well as in several states, including Coahuila, Quintana Roo, Jalisco, Nayarit, Chihuahua and Sonora. The move will force other states to come into line.
"I will send a reform initiative of the federal civil code for marriage equality so that (marriage) is available without discrimination to people over the age of 18 and in accordance to the law established in regards to the rights of girls, boys and adolescents," he added.
Mexico's Supreme Court said last year that laws restricting marriage to a man and woman were unconstitutional and a Supreme Court judge urged states to legalise gay marriage.
However, many state legislatures have not changed their statutes to comply, meaning couples must file legal challenges case by case to get married. Gay marriage is still banned under local laws in many of Mexico's 31 states.
"This ensures that in our country that all Mexicans regardless of their social condition, religion, sexual preference, ethnicity have the opportunity for complete (marriage)," declared Pena Nieto.
The announcement comes just weeks after Pena Nieto proposed relaxing laws on marijuana. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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