Mexico: State of Colima legalises civil unions for same-sex couples

The Mexican state of Colima has become the latest in the country to allow same-sex couples to enter into civil partnerships, as a change was made in the state’s constitution by a majority of local authorities.

The legislation of same-sex civil unions falls under the legislation of the state, and various states have different laws on the issue.

Seven out of ten local authorities approved the constitutional change which the state’s congress had passed earlier in July, reports the BBC.

Just two members of congress voted against the change, instead arguing that the state should not limit same-sex couples to civil unions, and should allow marriage.

Several other states allow either same-sex marriages or civil unions. Mexico City and Quintana Roo allow marriage, whilst Coahuila allows civil unions.

One state, Yucatan, banned same-sex marriage in 2009.

In December, the Mexican Supreme Court ruled in favour of three couples wishing to marry in the southern Mexican state of Oaxaca, in a decision which was seen by some as opening the door to eventually having a federal equal marriage law.

Almost 400 same-sex couples married in Mexico within the first six months of the law permitting same-sex marriage coming into effect. The law also allowed gay couples to adopt. 

• Nov 29 2023

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