Former Spanish prime minster says gay marriage is his proudest achievement

[xchrom]

http://lgbtweekly.com/2012/01/02/former-spanish-prime-minster-says-gay-marriage-is-his-proudest-achievement/


Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons - Guillaume Paumier

Former Spanish prime minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero calls the legalization of gay marriage his proudest achievement since his eight years of service in office.

“If I consider the degree of recognition and gratitude I have received, then I think [it would be] the gay marriage law,” Zapatero said according to Spanish newspaper Diario de Leon. “Hardly a week goes by without someone reminding me or thanking me. Yes, it’s a decision that seems to have left its mark.”

The same-sex marriage law took effect on July 3, 2005, allowing thousands of gay partners to marry legally in wake of its passage. Spain is one of three countries who have legalized gay marriage throughout its nation.

Concerns mounted, however, over the possible overture to expel the law since Mariano Rajoy has taken over post as Spain’s new prime minister.



*** consider for a moment -- you would not be wrong to think of spain as being profoundly catholic -- w/ strong conservative strains throughout spanish society -- and yet this guy manages to proudly proclaim marriage equality as his proudest achievement.

[William769]

1. Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero

[dsc]

2. and he won his first election after having done it

though the economy tanked and he lost the latest election.

[xchrom]

4. yeah -- to be honest -- the socialists in europe seem

to be more in the pocket of ECB than true to the principles that SHOULD be guiding their legislative behavior.

the conservative populist PP took their failure and ran w/ it.

we will what happens to the euro zone now.

[joeybee12]

3. Good news...but any news about the dips**t who took office

recently...VERY conservative.

[xchrom]

5. no word yet on whether they will over turn the law.

they had to go back on a promise not to raise taxes -- so they may be feeling some heat right about now.

[joeybee12]

6. Good...people are stupid...they voted the conservatives in

because the economy is bad...they wanted change, any change, even though conservative policies always make things worse.

[iverglas]

7. if I may butt in slightly ;)

The situation is similar in Canada with former PM Jean Chrétien:

http://www.samesexmarriage.ca/advocacy/EF221104.htm

Former Prime Minister Jean Chretien has been selected as Equality Forum's International Role Model for 2005 because of his role in ending marriage discrimination in Canada.

As Canada's Prime Minister, Jean Chretien championed same-sex marriage," stated Malcolm Lazin, executive director, Equality Forum. "In 2003, then Prime Minister Chretien called on Canadian citizens to support marriage equality. This impressive support by Mr. Chretien demonstrates the importance to Canadians of minority rights and separation of church and state."

"We are honored to bestow our 10th annual International Role Model Award to Jean Chretien," according to Joe Farrell, chair, Board of Directors, Equality Forum. "Mr. Chretien will attend to accept the award and speak about international GLBT civil rights."

Also:

http://www.samesexmarriage.ca/advocacy/EF040504.htm

"I understand that we have a lot of Canadians visitors here, is that correct? Well we promise to treat you in your stay significantly better than the Flyers are going to treat the Maple Leafs." Edward G. Rendell, Governor of Pennsylvania, opening remarks at Equality Forum's International Business Colloquium Dinner, May 1, 2004, prior to a game 5 7-2 victory for Philadelphia over Toronto.

We gathered in Philadelphia's Independence Visitor Center on May 1 at the invitation of Equality Forum to honour individuals who are international role models and leaders. It was a wonderful opportunity for us to thank Martin Cauchon, the Justice Minister and Attorney General of Canada, for ending the marriage court battle, after Ontario's Court of Appeal ordered the province to register our marriage and begin issuing marriage licenses for same-sex couples (June 10, 2003). Here is an excerpt from the evening:

<text of Cauchon's speech is there>

The point about heavily Roman Catholic societies is interesting. France and Quebec are examples of very RC cultures where the church plays little role in public affairs.

In Canada, Quebec has the highest percentage of non-married couples (including with children) in the country, for example. Quebec instituted formal civil unions for both opposite-sex and same-sex couples in 2002 (by unanimous vote of its National Assembly):
http://www.justice.gouv.qc.ca/english/publications/generale/union-civ-a.htm
and in 2004 the Quebec Court of Appeal followed BC and Ontario in ordering that marriage licences be issued to same-sex couples.


Unfortunately, both Spain and Canada now have right-wing governments (not that the Liberal Party of Canada is not right-wing, it just isn't "socially conservative&quot . In Canada, at least, the Conservatives will not be able to undo same-sex marriage, as the courts had ruled even before the federal government settled the matter by legislation.