Viva Mexico!

(I have no idea how to make an upside-down exclamation point on a PC. Such is the life of a Machead. *sigh*)

In any event…

Earlier today the legislature in Mexico City voted 39-20 to approve same-sex marriage! The mayor of Mexico City is expected to sign the legislation when it’s presented. With this move Mexico City becomes the first jurisdiction in Latin America to recognize the equality of same-sex couples. The BBC article linked above doesn’t make a mention of it, but the bill originally contained an amendment specifically barring same-sex couples from adopting children. One legislator raised an objection to the amendment and it was subsequently removed.

…so just to be clear: same-sex marriage in New York is a no-go. Same-sex marriage in California was voted down. Same-sex marriage in Maine was overturned. But same-sex marriage in Mexico City seems certain. Up is down, black is white, and I’m craving tequila.

In other news, I didn’t bother to mention this last week since I figured you all had seen it and were aware of it, but here you go: after numerous procedural and legislative hoops, interference from the Catholic Church, the nonsensical ramblings of Bishop Harry Jackson and a screeching promise of war from Maggie Gallagher, last week Mayor Adrian Fenty of Washington, DC signed a bill legalizing same-sex marriage in our nation’s capital. Given the large number of federal employees living in the district this bill is likely to set up a legal challenge to the Defense of Marriage Act in short order.

The reason I mention it is because the federal government’s Office of Personnel Management continues to sputter at the prospect of providing benefits to same-sex couples, in defiance of an order from the 9th Circuit. I’d point out the blistering irony in the fact that OPM director John Berry is the highest-ranking openly gay official in the federal government or make a flip comment like “Fierce advocate, my ass!”…but Christmas is this week and I’ve had enough scroogery.

VIVA MEXICO!