Mexico City has approved gay marriage, becoming the first Latin American city to do so. The elected Assembly of the Federal District of Mexico have changed Monday section of local civil code which specified that marriage is “the voluntary union between a man and a woman.”

The legislation was approved by 39 votes to 20 against, with five members abstained from voting. Members then continued discussions on a measure to allow gay couples to adopt children.

In a strongly Catholic country, where the clergy associated with the progressive measures to sin, the Mexican capital, led by a leftist mayor, often a pioneer in reforms. The City has approved a civil union between two persons of the same sex in November 2006. In April 2007, it has decriminalized abortion.

No other Latin American region at any level whatsoever – municipal, provincial or federal – has legalized gay marriage. A civil union is recognized, however, in several countries, like Uruguay and Colombia. The debate is also before the Supreme Court of Argentina.

Mexico City Approves Gay Marriage