Spain's high court upholds 'gay marriage' law

Madrid, Spain, Nov 7, 2012 / 13:54 pm

Spain's Constitutional Court upheld a "gay marriage" law which passed seven years ago under the Socialist government and was challenged by the People's Party under current President Mariano Rajoy.

On Nov. 6, eight of the court's 11 judges voted in favor of the legislation amid tense opposition from traditional marriage supporters in the country.

"From a social point of view, we have been witnessing the harassment and atrocious demolition of marriage and the family," said Ignacio Arsuaga, head of the local civil rights group HazteOir.org.

Arsuaga called the ruling a fierce "attack" against "an institution without which, for example, social unrest in times of crisis would be much more troubling."

Spain's Congress initially passed the same-sex "marriage" law on June 30, 2005. Within months, the People's Party filed suit with the high court, challenging the law's constitutionality. Throughout the last seven years, however, some three to four thousand gay "marriages" have taken place annually in the country.

Arsuaga said the local rise in same-sex unions as well as divorce have already lead to a destabilization of Spain's legal, social and economic structure.

"It is incredible that amidst an economic crisis, an aging population and instability in the foundations of our social security system, there is support for social models that, far from offering a positive contribution, are actually a hindrance."