Portugal: Parliament approves same-sex marriage law

The Portuguese parliament passed the Socialist government's bill to legalise same-sex marriages, with Prime Minister Jose Socrates saying the move is a step in the fight against discrimination.Socrates' minority government pushed the bill through the house with support from left wing parties, while centre-right party PSD's proposal for civil partnerships was rejected as was right-wing CDS-PP's petition for a referendum on the matter. It's a small change in the law, but a very important and symbolic step to fully realise values that are pillars of open, tolerant and democratic societies: freedom, equality and non-discrimination, Socrates said in parliament. The bill gives gay marriages the same rights as heterosexual marriages, including those on taxes, inheritance and housing, but does not offer the right to adopt.