Same-sex marriage in Puebla

Same-sex marriage is legal in Puebla in accordance with a ruling from the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation.[1][2] On 1 August 2017, the Supreme Court ruled that the same-sex marriage ban containted in the state's Civil Code violated Articles 1 and 4 of the Constitution of Mexico, legalizing same-sex marriage in the state of Puebla.[3][4] The ruling was officially published in the Official Journal of the Federation on 16 February 2018.[5]

The Congress of Puebla passed a same-sex marriage bill on 3 November 2020, amending various articles of the Civil Code to reflect the Supreme Court ruling.[6]

Legal history edit

Background edit

An important recognition case was granted via amparo on 29 January 2014. A same-sex couple, married in 2012 in Mexico City, filed an amparo against the IMSS (Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social) after it refused to register one of the partners for spousal benefits. In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court ruled that the IMSS was required to recognize the marriage.[7]

On 15 October 2014, a collective amparo for 13 couples was filed with the support of Equal Marriage Mexico, the Citizens Observatory of Sexual and Reproductive Rights and El Taller A.C.. It sought to have the state's same-sex marriage ban declared unconstitutional and allow the couples to marry.[8][9][10] In March 2015, reports surfaced that a judge had ruled against the couples citing the requirement that they "prove their homosexuality". Activists slammed this as a delay tactic and appealed to the Mexican Supreme Court.[11] On 5 May 2016, the Supreme Court ruled that the state's same-sex marriage ban was unconstitutional and discriminatory, and allowed the couples to marry.[12] On 1 June 2016, the First Chamber of the Mexican Supreme Court made a similar ruling in a case involving 15 couples.[13]

In November 2014, a federal court granted Guadalupe del Carmen Gómez Tetetla and Fabiola Lucero Méndeza an amparo. The couple had filed the amparo earlier that year after their request for a marriage license was rejected. The state appealed the decision, and an appellate court upheld the ruling in favor of the couple on 10 July 2015. Their wedding, which was the first same-sex marriage in the state of Puebla, took place on 1 August 2015.[14][15] The Mexican Supreme Court ruled on 12 June 2015 that state bans on same-sex marriage are unconstitutional nationwide. The court's ruling is considered a "jurisprudential thesis" and did not invalidate state laws, meaning that same-sex couples denied the right to wed would still have to seek individual amparos in court. The ruling standardized the procedures for judges and courts throughout Mexico to approve all applications for same-sex marriages and made the approval mandatory.

In September 2016, officials in the municipality of San Pedro Cholula announced that any same-sex couple who wishes to marry in the municipality may do so without hindrance, citing nationwide jurisprudence established by the Supreme Court.[16]

Attempts to pass civil union legislation edit

On 7 December 2006, a civil union bill, similar to that of Mexico City, was proposed in Puebla, but it faced strong opposition and criticism from deputies of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) and the National Action Party (PAN), which declared that "the traditional family is the only social model, and there cannot be another one."[17] The civil union bill was proposed again on 15 March 2011.[18] After five reviews in the ensuing years,[19] on 8 June 2014 the bill was postponed until a later legislative session.[20] On 29 September 2014, Congress announced that there would be no discussion in that legislative term.[21] Activists organized a march on 8 November 2014 urging the Congress of Puebla to legalize same-sex marriage.[22]

Congress rejected a civil union bill in December 2014.[23] The Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD), which had supported the measure, announced its intention to re-introduce a similar bill in 2015.[24] On 11 June 2015, a PRD deputy submitted a marriage bill instead, citing national court decisions in favor of same-sex marriage.[25][26] In June 2016, state officials announced they would postpone any vote on the legislation until the Mexican Supreme Court ruled on the action of unconstitutionality filed in April 2016, which it did in August 2017.[27]

Action of unconstitutionality (2016–2017) edit

 
The Mexican Supreme Court (building pictured) invalidated Puebla's same-sex marriage ban in 2017, allowing for such marriages to be performed in the state.

On 27 April 2016, the National Human Rights Commission filed an action of unconstitutionality (acción de inconstitucionalidad; docketed 29/2016) against the state of Puebla, contesting the constitutionality of articles 294, 297 and 300 of the Civil Code. The Congress of Puebla had recently amended state family law but while doing so did not repeal the state's ban on same-sex marriage. The Commission took this opportunity to file the action of unconstitutionality.[28][29] Article 294 defined marriage as the union of "a man and a woman" and whose goal was "perpetuating the species", and article 297 similarly defined concubinage as between "a man and a woman". Article 300 required the "man and woman" to be at least 16 years of age. This lawsuit sought to fully legalize same-sex marriage in Puebla, similarly to what had happened in the states of Chiapas (in case 32/2016) and Jalisco (in case 28/2015).

On 1 August 2017, the Mexican Supreme Court ruled unanimously that the three articles violated Articles 1 and 4 of the Constitution of Mexico.[1] Article 1 of the Constitution states that "any form of discrimination, based on ethnic or national origin, gender, age, disabilities, social status, medical conditions, religion, opinions, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other form, which violates the human dignity or seeks to annul or diminish the rights and freedoms of the people, is prohibited.", and Article 4 relates to matrimonial equality, stating that "man and woman are equal under the law. The law shall protect the organization and development of the family."[a] In late January 2018, despite opposition from Congress, the civil registry announced it would abide by the ruling and start processing marriage applications from same-sex couples.[32][33] The ruling came into effect once Congress was officially notified and upon publication in the Official Gazette of the Federation (Diario Oficial de la Federación) on 16 February 2018.[5] In addition, state officials have confirmed that same-sex couples are allowed to adopt.[34]

Response and passage of legislation in Congress edit

In October 2018, Deputy María García Olmedo from the Institutional Revolutionary Party introduced a bill to Congress to codify same-sex marriage in the state's Civil Code.[35]

On 4 October 2019, a Congress committee voted against decriminalizing abortion and updating state law to reflect the Supreme Court's ruling on same-sex marriage. Legislators reaffirmed state law which at the time read, "El matrimonio es un contrato civil, por el cual un sólo hombre y una sola mujer, se unen en sociedad para perpetuar la especie y ayudarse en la lucha por la existencia." ("Marriage is a civil contract, in which one man and one woman are united by society to perpetuate the species and help each other in the struggle for existence."). This did not affect the status of same-sex marriage in Puebla, which remained legal and recognized.[36] Shortly following the vote, Deputy García Olmedo filed a legal challenge with the Supreme Court, arguing that Congress' refusal to amend state law to recognize same-sex marriages in accordance with the Supreme Court ruling was unconstitutional.[37] García Olmedo also accused deputies of the National Regeneration Movement (MORENA), who mostly voted for the measure, of "betrayal", as the party was elected on a platform supporting LGBT rights and same-sex marriage.

On 30 October 2020, a Congress committee voted 4–2 with 1 abstention in favor of a same-sex marriage bill introduced by Deputy Vianey García Romero.[38] On 3 November 2020, Congress approved the legislation 31–5.[39][40][41] The law was published in the official state journal on 10 November, following Governor Miguel Barbosa Huerta's signature, and took effect the following day.[42] Article 294 of the Civil Code now reads:

  • in Spanish: El matrimonio es un contrato civil por el cual dos personas se unen voluntariamente en sociedad, para llevar una vida en común, con respeto, ayuda mutua e igualdad de derechos y obligaciones.
  • (Marriage is a civil contract in which two people are united voluntarily by society, to build a community of life, with respect, mutual aid and equal rights and obligations.)
Political party Members Yes No Abstain Absent
  National Regeneration Movement 14 13 1
  Institutional Revolutionary Party 5 5
  Labor Party 5 4 1
  National Action Party 4 4
  Social Encounter Party 3 3
  Party of the Democratic Revolution 2 2
  Citizens' Movement 2 2
  Ecologist Green Party of Mexico 1 1
  New Alliance Party 1 1
  Compromiso por Puebla 1 1
  Independent 3 2 1
Total 41 31 5 3 2

Marriage statistics edit

The following table shows the number of same-sex marriages performed in Puebla since 2019 as reported by the National Institute of Statistics and Geography.[43] Figures for 2020 are lower than previous years because of the restrictions in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Number of marriages performed in Puebla
Year Same-sex Opposite-sex Total % same-sex
Female Male Total
2019 51 40 91 17,058 17,149 0.53%
2020 26 20 46 12,649 12,695 0.36%
2021 66 55 121 16,046 16,167 0.75%

121 same-sex marriages were performed in Puebla in 2021; 66 between two women and 55 between two men. Most took place in Puebla de Zaragoza at 81, followed by San Pedro Cholula at 23, San Martín Texmelucan at 3, and 14 in other cities across the state.[44]

Public opinion edit

A 2017 opinion poll conducted by Gabinete de Comunicación Estratégica found that 48.5% of Puebla residents supported same-sex marriage, while 48% were opposed.[45]

According to a 2018 survey by the National Institute of Statistics and Geography, 37% of the Puebla public opposed same-sex marriage.[46]

See also edit

Notes edit

  1. ^ In Spanish: El varón y la mujer son iguales ante la ley. Esta protegerá la organización y el desarrollo de la familia.
    In Nahuatl: Se tlakatl uan se siuatl nochi sansemej ipan tlanauatilistli. Inin kin manauis nejchikolis uan iueixka iuikaluan.[30]
    In Otomi: Ra ñ’o̱ho ne ra be̱hñä rangutho di ge ra hmända. Nuna mädi ra mutsi ne ra te nuya mengu.[31]
    In Totonac: Amá puskat chu chixku, ixlakxtumkan nak ixlakatin limapakgsin. Ja'é namakgtakgalha ixtalakaxlan xawa ixlitatlanit litalakgapasni.
    In Popoloca: Ti chojni ndoa la ko ti chojni chjin la nkokón sínkí éxi ntachro ti ley. La tsjinki̱tsakixin jehe sin nohe sin nkexrín tsꞌanki ti xje̱en sin.

References edit

  1. ^ a b "SCJN aprueba matrimonio igualitario en Puebla" [SCJN approves equal marriage in Puebla] (in Spanish). Puebla City, Mexico: Publimetro. 1 August 2017. Archived from the original on 12 August 2018. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
  2. ^ "SCJN avala los matrimonios homosexuales en Puebla" [SCJN guarantees homosexual marriages in Puebla] (in Spanish). Mexico: Noticias MVS. 1 August 2017. Archived from the original on 1 August 2017. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
  3. ^ "SCJN avala el matrimonio igualitario en Puebla" [SCJN backs egalitarian marriage in Puebla] (in Spanish). Mexico: SDPnoticias. 1 August 2017. Archived from the original on 1 August 2017. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
  4. ^ "Corte abre puerta a martimonios gay en Puebla" [Court opens the door to gay marriage in Puebla]. El Universal (in Spanish). Mexico City, Mexico. 1 August 2017. Archived from the original on 1 August 2017. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
  5. ^ a b (in Spanish) SENTENCIA dictada por el Tribunal Pleno de la Suprema Corte de Justicia de la Nación en la Acción de Inconstitucionalidad 29/2016, así como los Votos Concurrentes formulados por los Ministros Jorge Mario Pardo Rebolledo, Arturo Zaldívar Lelo de Larrea y Alfredo Gutiérrez Ortiz Mena. Archived 9 June 2019 at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ ""Sí, acepto": el Congreso local de Puebla aprobó el matrimonio igualitario en el estado". infobae (in Spanish). 3 November 2020. Archived from the original on 9 November 2020. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  7. ^ "Gay Couples In Mexico To Access Social Security, Health Benefits". Archived from the original on 10 November 2014. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
  8. ^ Josué Cantorán (3 October 2014). "Van por el matrimonio igualitario en Puebla". ladobe.com.mx. Archived from the original on 2 August 2017. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
  9. ^ Staff Puebla On Line. "Homosexuales en Puebla iniciarán proceso jurídico para casarse". pueblaonline.com.mx. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
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  14. ^ Hernández Alcántara, Martín (31 July 2015). "Mañana se celebrará el primer matrimonio gay en la historia de Puebla" (in Spanish). Puebla, Mexico: La Jornada de Oriente. Archived from the original on 2 August 2017. Retrieved 31 July 2015.
  15. ^ Fernández, Tuss (2 August 2015). "Se celebra en Puebla la primera boda de personas del mismo sexo" (in Spanish). Puebla, Mexico: La Dobe. Archived from the original on 2 August 2017. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
  16. ^ (in Spanish) San Pedro abre las puertas al matrimonio entre personas del mismo sexo Archived 9 February 2019 at the Wayback Machine
  17. ^ Alejrandro Velázquez (27 January 2007). "Más estados van por Ley de Convivencia" (in Spanish). Crónica. Archived from the original on 22 July 2011. Retrieved 15 December 2009.
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  27. ^ Olivera, Alejandra (26 June 2016). "Congreso de Puebla aprobará matrimonio gay hasta que SCJN lo "obligue"". Ángulo 7. Archived from the original on 28 June 2016. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
  28. ^ (in Spanish) Índice de Acciones de Inconstitucionalidad Archived 2 August 2017 at the Wayback Machine
  29. ^ "CNDH impugna reforma en Puebla que excluye el matrimonio igualitario" (in Spanish). Periódico Central. 17 May 2016. Archived from the original on 4 June 2016. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
  30. ^ "Tlanejneuilyotl Tlen Sentikmaseualmej, Se Tekpanali: Sesenkatsitsij Tepanitali, Nauitipaj tlaijtoli". INALI. Retrieved 10 September 2022.
  31. ^ "Ndäthot'i, hñäsümpo̱te xe̲ni hnini ga̱tho m'onda̱" (PDF). INALI. Archived (PDF) from the original on 14 February 2022. Retrieved 12 February 2022.
  32. ^ (in Spanish) Registro Civil acataría dictamen de la SCJN sobre el matrimonio igualitario: Carrasco Archived 28 February 2018 at the Wayback Machine
  33. ^ (in Spanish) Matrimonio homosexual: Bloquea el Congreso exhorto a favor Archived 23 April 2018 at the Wayback Machine
  34. ^ (in Spanish) Parejas del mismo sexo podrán adoptar, asegura PRD Archived 19 December 2017 at the Wayback Machine
  35. ^ (in Spanish) PRI presenta iniciativa para legalizar en Puebla los matrimonios entre personas del mismo sexo Archived 18 October 2018 at the Wayback Machine
  36. ^ Gabriela Hernandez (5 October 2019), "Legisladores poblanos cierran paso a la despenalización del aborto y al matrimonio igualitario" [Puebla legislators close path to decriminalization of abortion and legalization of equal marriage], Proceso (in Spanish), archived from the original on 5 October 2019, retrieved 13 October 2019
  37. ^ "Se consuma traición de Morena; García Olmedo pide acción de incsontitucionalidad". Labode.com.mx (in Spanish). 9 October 2019. Archived from the original on 13 October 2019. Retrieved 13 October 2019.
  38. ^ "Comisión de Congreso aprueba matrimonios igualitarios en Puebla". Intolerancia Diario (in Spanish). 30 October 2020. Archived from the original on 4 November 2020. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  39. ^ "Conservative Mexican state of Puebla legalizes same-sex marriage". Reuters. 4 November 2020. Archived from the original on 18 June 2022. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
  40. ^ "Pleno del Congreso del Estado aprueba reformas al Código Civil que garantizan el derecho al matrimonio igualitario en Puebla". Congreso de Puebla (in Spanish). 3 November 2020. Archived from the original on 14 November 2020. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  41. ^ "Congreso de Puebla aprueba el matrimonio igualitario". El Financiero (in Spanish). 3 November 2020. Archived from the original on 4 November 2020. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
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  43. ^ "Matrimonios, Entidad y municipio de registro, Sexo, Sexo". INEGI (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 17 October 2020. Retrieved 13 November 2020.
  44. ^ "A un año de que se aprobara el MatrimonioIgualitario en #uebla, se han dado a conocer que son 121 matrimonios los que se han realizado en el estado, Destacando la Capital, SanPedroCholula y Texmelucan". Twitter (in Spanish). 30 September 2022. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
  45. ^ (in Spanish) Encuesta nacional 2017 Archived 19 September 2017 at the Wayback Machine, Gabinete de Comunicación Estratégica
  46. ^ (in Spanish) #Data | ¿Quién está en contra del matrimonio gay? Archived 16 April 2019 at the Wayback Machine

External links edit