Because it is an overwhelmingly Catholic country, the issue of gay marriage has been divisive in Spain.   The Pope has openly condemned the idea of gay marriage.   Also, the Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, and Orthodox churches all joined together just before the vote to ask the parliament to reject this legislation.   The passing of this law is a triumph for the Socialist Party and Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero.   

The gay marriage legislation was passed on the same day as a relaxation of the rules on divorce in Spain, leading some opponents to claim that Spanish society is on the decline.   Some local mayors have refused to marry homosexual couples, despite warnings from the federal government that they must follow the law.

• Legislation (in Spanish)

• BBC News Spanish MPs approve gay marriages, June 30, 2005
• BBC News Spanish mayors condemn gay bil, April 27, 2005
• Time Europe Church Vs. State, August 7, 2005
• Jurist Spain legalizes same-sex marriage, June 30, 2005
• Jurist Spanish Senate votes down gay marriage bill, June 22, 2005

• Human Rights Campaign Synopsis of the legislation
• Fundaci�n Tri�ngulo An organization working towards equal rights for gays and lesbians. In Spanish.

Written August 19 , 2005.