The state of Tamaulipas voted for same-sex marriage legalization in Mexico, Wednesday, Oct. 26. There were 23 votes in favor of legalization while there were 12 who voted against it and two abstentions.
With the approval of the city’s Congress of the Civil Code, this marked Tamaulipas as Mexico’s final state to legalize such a union.
Mexico City was the first to lead the way in 2009. There were only so many countries that had recognized same-sex marriage before 2010, according to Reuters. It was only 2015 when the United States Supreme Court ruled that LGBTQ+ citizens should be afforded the same rights as their heterosexual counterparts with marriage.
This marks a big step for Central America, considering that same-sex marriage is still illegal in some countries there. UTEP students weigh in on how this could affect Mexico and their community.
Biology major, Julia Castillo and Computer Science major, Oscar Navarro think that it is a step in the right direction.
“I’m happy for the people who can finally marry who they want,” Castillo said.
For some students though, it goes against their religious beliefs. Civil Engineering major, Clinton Chijoke says people are free to do what they want, but he cannot support it due to being a Christian. There is still some backlash due to social and religious conservatives not supporting the cause in Central American countries.
“Everybody loves differently, and everybody has their own preferences. So, it’s pretty crazy that they’re finally able to comfortably get married,” Nelson said.
There are 24 countries in Latin America where consensual same-sex sexual acts have been decriminalized. There are nine countries, most ly in the Caribbean, where consensual sexual acts are still illegal, according to the Wilson Center.
Bolivia, Cuba, Ecuador and Mexico constitutionally protect members of the LGBTQ+ community from criminalization based on their orientation, according to the Wilson Center.
“Now it’s a law, so you don’t have a choice to agree, or just walk away and mind your business. I’m excited and I’m happy that they’re able to do what they want to do, (which) is get married to their loved ones,” said Nelson.
For anyone experiencing crisis, The Trevor Lifeline can be reached 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 866-488-7386.
Kristen Scheaffer is a contributor and can be reached at [email protected].
