Mexico City on Tuesday formally put on the books a law allowing same-sex couples to marry and adopt children, with Mayor Marcelo Ebrard rejecting demands he veto the controversial measure.
The law, approved by city legislators on December 21, was published in Mexico City’s official register on Tuesday and will take effect in March.
The law will allow same-sex couples to marry, adopt children, apply for bank loans together, inherit wealth and be included in the insurance policies of their spouse, rights they are denied under civil unions.
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The leftist-majority municipal assembly approved the changes last week by a vote of 39-20 with five abstentions.
Tourism officials in Mexico say they hope to attract gay couples who want to marry in the capital city.
“Mexico City will become a centre, where (gay) people from all over the world will be able to come and have their wedding, and then spend their honeymoon here,” said Alejandro Rojas, the city tourism secretary.
The Roman Catholic Church has condemned the law as an affront to the traditional family and has vowed to overturn the law.
