Mexican Supreme Court Strikes Down State Marriage Ban for Puerto Vallarta Michael K. Lavers - Washington Blade
go to original January 27, 2016

The Mexican Supreme Court on Jan. 26, 2016, struck down a portion of the state of Jalisco’s Civil Code that defines marriage as between a man and a woman. (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)

The Mexican Supreme Court on Tuesday struck down the state of Jalisco’s same-sex marriage ban.

The justices in their 11-0 ruling said the portion of the Jalisco Civil Code that defines marriage as between a man and a woman amounts to discrimination based on sexual orientation under the Mexican constitution.

Milenio, a Mexican newspaper, quoted Chief Justice Luis María Aguilar Morales as saying the Jalisco Congress “has the freedom to legislate” the issue of marriage rights for same-sex couples. He stressed, however, it “cannot do it” in a way that “affects people’s human rights.”

Guadalajara, which is the second largest city in Mexico, is located in Jalisco. The resort city of Puerto Vallarta, which is a popular destination for gays and lesbians from the U.S., is also in the state.

Media reports indicate the Mexican Supreme Court “for practical purposes” has legalized same-sex marriage in Jalisco.

The ruling will formally take effect once it is published.

“For us it is a very good step forward,” Leonardo Espinosa, president of Cohesión de Diversidades para la Sustentabilidad, a Guadalajara-based LGBT advocacy group known by the acronym CODISE, told the Washington Blade on Tuesday during a telephone interview.

Read the entire story at Washington Blade.

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