By Emegwoako C. Paschal
The state of Tamaulipas was the last in the predominantly Catholic country to approve same-sex marriage, according to the local Congress on Wednesday, October 26th.
The decision by the northern border state brings to an end a 12-year journey toward national marriage equality, which began in 2010 when Mexico City became the first to celebrate same-sex unions.
Five years later, the Supreme Court ruled that a ban on same-sex marriage was unconstitutional, prompting changes at the state level.
“The Tamaulipas Congress approved changes to Article 132 of the Civil Code for the State to recognize the right to same-sex marriage,” the institution said in a statement.
This year, marriage equality has been approved in seven other states, three of which have passed in the last two weeks.
Marriage equality is still pending “legislative harmonization” in five of Mexico’s 32 states where it was established through court orders or governors’ decrees, according to political scientist and LGBTQ activist Genaro Lozano.
“However, it is already a reality in Mexico.” “Many thanks to all the activists and legislators who have supported it over the years,” Lozano wrote on Twitter.
