- Title: PORTUGAL: Thousands call for gay marriage referendum in Portugal
- Date: 21st February 2010
- Summary: DEMONSTRATORS GATHERED
- Embargoed: 8th March 2010 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Portugal
- Country: Portugal
- Topics: Domestic Politics
- Reuters ID: LVAD4F1D7GC1AY7J8LNSE94U5WTD
- Story Text: Some two thousand people took the streets in Lisbon streets on Saturday (February 20) demanding a referendum on same-sex marriages.
The rally was organised by Catholic group 'Platform Citizenship and Marriage' which says that the value of marriage and family should be decided at the polls.
"At the moment we are exercising our freedom, we want to have our say about a law which is in the legislative process and which is an attack on family and marriage," said demonstrator Isilda Pegado.
Police tried to defuse tension between a group of right-wing extremists and gay marriage supporters who also attended the rally.
The Portuguese parliament approved the bill to legalise same-sex marriages on January 8, 2010.
The minority government of Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates pushed the bill through the house with support from left wing parties, while alternative proposals by the centre-right opposition for civil partnerships and a referendum on the issue were rejected.
The bill gives gay marriages the same rights as heterosexual marriages, including those on taxes, inheritance and housing, but does not offer them the right to adopt children.
The bill now needs to be ratified by conservative President Anibal Cavaco Silva. If he approves it, Portugal will join Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, South Africa and Canada in allowing gay marriages, all of which allow gay married couples to adopt children as well. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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