Tuesday, July 12, 2005

Hola, the First Gay Couple Weds in Spain

The first gay couple to wed under Spain's new gay marriage law are Emilio Menendez and Carlos Baturin German who were smiling broadly as they exchanged thir vows.

The ceremony took place in Tres Cantos, a town outside Madrid. Spain is the third country after the Netherlands and Belguim to grant full legal recognition to same sex couples.

The ceremony was presided over by a town councilor from the United Left Party.

The law gives gay couples the same rights as heterosexual ones. Besides getting married, they can adopt children and inherit each other's property. Truly remarkable in this overwhelming Catholic country.

Since the law took effect on July 3, 2005, about 50 couples are believed to have filed papers seeking to get married. With the gay population estimated to be about 4.3 million in Spain, there will be plenty of "Si" exchanged. I wish all of these couples the best of lives. Of course, big hairy muscle hugs of congratulations are in order. Salut!!!

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