On
Monday, Costa Rican lawmakers passed a bill that concerned various
social services for young people. On Tuesday, they woke up to the
realization that they had pretty much legalized gay marriage.
Conservative
lawmakers were appalled when they found that the law they had voted on
had language inserted into it by liberal politicians that expanded
social rights for gay people as well as extending the benefits of a
civil union to gay couples.
“During the
discussion in the first debate, we explained that the Law of Young
People should be interpreted with this sense of opening to gays and no
one objected,” explained liberal politician José María Villalta.
Conservatives
are calling on the president of Costa Rica to immediately veto the
bill. Recent surveys show that the population of Costa Rica is opposed
to gay marriage.
If approved
by the president, the law would have to withstand court challenges,
which it would most likely lose. Still, the accidental legalization has
given advocates a platform to discuss the need for gay marriage and
maybe change the minds of Costa Ricans.
“It is a big step forward for gay rights in Costa Rica,” Costa Rican gay rights advocate Marco Castillo said in an interview.
// HOORAY! //
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