Ok, I just joined these forums and before things get lively, I'm very glad to be here...
I thought I'd post this as my first thread seen as I haven't seen another thread about this yet.
it's a very hot family topic here in Spain right now, with huge demonstrations for and against and politicans and bishops shouting at each other. Even the Pope has has his two pennies worth (and i guess that last phrase identiifes me as English. I don't know where you're all from yet but I'd sure like to know what you think about this one. If you need me to explain anything else, just say so.
Last week, people here in Spain were either excited or angry ( or not bothered and having a beer to escape from the heat): The parliament just approved a bill allowing homosexual marriage. The Right is obviously very shocked and upset (as is the Catholic church), the socialists are exceedingly happy, as are homosexual couples all over the country. The BBC even dedicated a long report to the subject to, Spain being the 4th country I think to approve homosexual marriage.
The fact that it is being called 'marriage' seems to be the main sticking point for the anti- crowd. They think 'marriage' as a word should be reserved for heterosexual couples. There have even bee some mayors (supported by the church) who have already declared they will refuse to marry gay couples..
Adoption of children by homosexual couples is another cat amongst the pigeons, although apparently SINGLE gay people are already within their rights to adopt children..everybody's wondering what effect it might have on the children, shouting that there are no studies yet to prove the point either way (which is a supporting argument for both sides, of course). China has already refused to alolow ANYONE in Spain to adopt anymore Chinese babies because of the new law.
There was even a right wing psychologist in parliament last week arguing vehemently that homosexuality was anyway an illness...hmmmmm have to wait and see if the president of the official homosexual sub-group of the Popular Party holds true on his promise to 'out' all of the right wing top politicians for being hypocritical..that would at least give us normal (non-political) mortals a bit of fun to watch as we sit with cold beers in the heat...