Portuguese govt aims to permit gay marriage

[Scurrilous]

Source: Associated Press

<snip>

"Portugal's Socialist government has drawn up a proposal that would make Portugal the sixth European country to allow gay marriage.

The law is almost certain to pass, as the center-left Socialist government has the support of all left-of-center parties, who together have a majority in Parliament. Right-of-center parties oppose the measure.

The proposal changes Portuguese law to remove references to marriage being between two people of different sexes, Cabinet Minister Pedro Silva Pereira told a news conference Thursday, adding the government will send its proposal to lawmakers for a debate, probably in January.

If approved by Parliament, the proposed law goes to Portugal's conservative President Anibal Cavaco Silva, who can ratify or veto it. A veto can be overturned by Parliament.

If there is no presidential veto, the first gay marriage ceremonies could take place in April — a month before Pope Benedict XVI is due on a four-day official visit."

Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ik3aX3N0ru0tZv_wqU87GX6lm4lwD9CL4Q2G3

[question everything]

1. And, one would think, being a Catholic nation

it should consider this a "sin," or something.

Some countries know how to separate these concepts.

knr