Portugal votes to legalise gay marriage

Progress in 2010! Congratulations to Portugal on this move, and might I add that there are many other European countries with gay civil unions on the books, including Germany and France. Love is a matter that can only prevail!

Portugal votes to legalise gay marriage [pinknews, January 8, 2010]

Portugal's parliament today voted to legalise marriage for gays and lesbians.
The Catholic country is now the sixth in Europe to grant same-sex couples the right to wed, although this will not include adoption rights.
Addressing lawmakers before the vote, prime minister Jose Socrates said the law "rights a wrong" and would end "pointless suffering".
But he added: "This issue of adoption is different as it does not just involve adults who are free to give their consent."
The law will remove any references to gender in the country's marriage laws.
Although centre-right parties opposed the change, all left-wing parties supported it.
The law must be approved by President Anibal Cavaco Silva but parliament has the power to override a veto from him.
It is expected to come into force in April, a month before Pope Benedict XVI visits the country.
Five other European countries allow gay marriage: Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden.

• Meanwhile, people remain imprisoned in far too many countries for speaking out for their rights and the rights of others. Free those imprisoned for exercising their right to freedom of expression!