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Mexico's president proposes legalizing gay marriage

Xinhua, May 18, 2016 Adjust font size:

Mexico's President Enrique Pena Nieto on Tuesday proposed legalizing gay marriage nationwide, local media reported.

At a ceremony marking International Day Against Homophobia, Pena Nieto said he signed an initiative to make marriage between same-sex couples legal throughout the country, according to the daily Excelsior.

The initiative proposes a constitutional amendment and changes to the Civil Code that would pave the way for the measure, which he described as a "human right."

Amending article 4 of the Constitution would recognize as "a human right that persons can marry without any discrimination" as to their sexual orientation, religion, ethnic origin or other trait, said Pena Nieto.

The president said he also asked the Foreign Affairs Ministry to ensure the passport application process does not present any obstacles for those who have undergone sex change.

As part of the day's push to eradicate discrimination, the president used a rainbow filter over his Twitter profile photo and also uploaded an image of Los Pinos, the presidential residence, lit up at night with the rainbow colors.

Same-sex marriage in Mexico is only legal in the capital Mexico City, where the local legislature approved it in 2009. Endit