While things head backwards in time here in Virginia under the Christianist regime of Bob McDonnell and AG Kookinelli, it is heartening to see that LGBT equality is progressing in other parts of the world. Even countries that were once bastions of Catholicism. Following action by the country's national legislature to enact same sex marriage, now Portugal's highest court has ruled that same sex marriage is constitutional. While religious freedom and equality under the civil laws remain a farce in Virginia and much of the USA, "Old Europe" is leading the way in fulfilling the mission that the USA once claimed to champion. I can only wonder what Thomas Jefferson - who always embraced modern knowledge and opposed an intermixing of religion and the civil laws - must think of this state of affairs. Here are some highlights from Euronews:*
There is something to celebrate for gay couples in Portugal. Having won parliament’s backing for same-sex marriage, the Constitutional Court has now given its green light to the measure. The signature of Portuguese President Anibal Cavaco Silva is now all that is needed to make the bill law. He sent it to the country’s top court last month, after expressing doubts over whether it was constitutional.
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But the tribunal’s president Rui Moura Ramos explained why no problems were found with the proposal. While it does not fit the traditional concept of marriage, as outlined in the constitution, he said this concept is open and can evolve.
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Portuguese President Anibal Cavaco Silva has 20 days to either veto the legislation or sign it into law. If it is ratified, it would come into effect just ahead of a visit to the staunchly Roman Catholic country by Pope Benedict XVI.
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Other reports indicate that the country's parliament has the votes to override a veto by President Silva should he cave into pressure from reactionaries and the Roman Catholic Church.
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