Portugal celebrates 1 year of the approval of gay marriage in the country. As José Sócrates (Primer Minister of Portugal from March 05 to June 11) affirms that the spanish decision on this matter was vital, he also states that this decision was basically “the obligation of my generation”. In spite of the present crisis, specially in this case, Portugal (or the Portuguese political leaders, as the polls showed 40% of public support at best) might be trying to modernize the state. But still nowadays, in Portugal remains illegal for these couples and women without husbands to receive fertility treatments or adopt.
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Only 10 countries in the world have approved gay marriage and in my opinion that should be the trend for the rest of the world. Everyone should have the opportunity of having their relationship marked as official with the responsibilities and the legal advantages that it involves, no matter what their sexual orientation is. Not to mention how the punishments, completely against any basic human right, have to be banned. But Portugal, with the clear and extended Catholic confession and even with the lobbying against it, has done a good job passing this law and offering different options rather than just civil unions (these last couples have less rights than married ones – such as in medical decisions, inheritances, pensions...). Hopefully, it will not be the last country on the approval list.
* http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/09/opinion/sunday/bruni-same-sex-marriage-in-portugal.html
I do not understand why these women would not be able to receive fertility treatments without having a husband. Does this mean that a single woman would not be able in Portugal to be a mother thanks to fertility treatments? I think that this would not be right, because regardless of her marital status, a woman should be allowed to take the decision of wether she would like to have children or not. I understand to some extent, basically because of my religious beliefs, that it is hard for society to accept that homosexual couples can form a family with children, because it is not the usual. I think that this would be a discussion that would never end, even though the actual trend is to accept it.
ReplyDeleteIt is indeed a reason for celebration the fact that Portugal permitted gay marriage last year. Sexual orientation should not be an issue in societal, political, economical... and even less in human matters. Just as you said Diana, this should encourage other countries to adopt the same legislation and end with issues such as the American "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and lots of different situations around the globe that still deny, not only the right to get married, but the consideration and respect for people that should not be pointed out from the rest because of their sexual orientation. Congratulations Portugal!
ReplyDeleteI agree with the fact that everyone has the right to choose their sexual orientation and to share it in a marital status as well, but I don't think we are ready yet to assume the idea of having two mothers or two fathers. I consider that every single person is free to do with their lifes whatever they want, but when those decisions afect other people I just cannot agree with it. It is easy to accept that a gay marriage decides to adopt a child or take fertility treatments in order to get pregnant but, have we taught about that baby that one day will go to school? And how is it going to affect him/her? I think we are too selfish thinking on the happiness of each one because the moment asks you so, but we need to focus on the idea that this is not a kid's game: we are playing with the future of so many children that some day will grow up and will have to deal with the fact that the society we live in judges before anything else.
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ReplyDeleteI agree with Cristina's opinion. I think everyone should be free to marry whoever they chose to. Nontheless, the issue of adoption is an issue that should be analysed carefully, because it could have a major impact on the child's life, who will be judged by his peers, or even made fun of, and that is something gay couples who choose to adopt should consider. I personally think that society is not ready to take that step yet. However, it is necessary to highlight the fact that more and more and more countries are making gay marriage legal, which is a huge step for the gay rights movement.
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