MEXICO: Gay Marriages In Chihuahua To Commence Following Order By Governor

The governor of Chihuahua yesterday declared that same-sex marriages are to commence immediately.

Duarte’s announcement comes ahead of an expected ruling from the Mexican Supreme Court that Proceso said will order Chihuahuan lawmakers to decide the issue of marriage rights for gays and lesbians. The newspaper reported the decision will also require local authorities to compensate the 31 same-sex couples who had sought legal resource, known as an “amparo” in the Mexican judicial system, after they had been denied their request to marry. Alex Alí Méndez Díaz, a lawyer who has spearheaded efforts in support of marriage rights for same-sex couples in Mexico over the last several years, on Thursday applauded Chihuahuan advocacy groups that challenged “their own state and its institutions” over the issue. Chihuahua joins the states of Coahuila and Quintana Roo and Mexico City in which same-sex couples can legally marry.

Chihuahua is Mexico's largest state and ranks 11th in population with 3.7M residents. Same-sex marriages in Mexico are recognized nationwide.