Portugal Readies Itself to Become Europe’s 6th Country With Gay Marriage. Weddings By April!

Making good on a campaign promise to push for legalizing gay marriage, re-elected Prime Minister José Sócrates’ Socialist government is drafting legislation to do just that. And it’s expected to all work out! AFP: “The law is almost certain to pass, as the center-left Socialist government has the support of all left-of-center parties, who together have a majority in Parliament. Right-of-center parties oppose the measure. The proposal changes Portuguese law to remove references to marriage being between two people of different sexes, Cabinet Minister Pedro Silva Pereira told a news conference Thursday, adding the government will send its proposal to lawmakers for a debate, probably in January. If approved by Parliament, the proposed law goes to Portugal’s conservative President Anibal Cavaco Silva, who can ratify or veto it. A veto can be overturned by Parliament. If there is no presidential veto, the first gay marriage ceremonies could take place in April — a month before Pope Benedict XVI is due on a four-day official visit.”