Mexico Same-Sex Marriage Legalization Protests News 2016: Second Mass March Planned for September 24
The same-sex marriage proposal was submitted by the president of Mexico, Enrique Pena Nieto, back in May but the after effects are now being felt more than ever.
This past weekend Mexico saw an uproar from protesters against same-sex marriage. Over a million protesters across 122 cities -- 275,000 marchers in Guadalajara, 100,000 in Querétaro and nearly 100,00 in other cities-- came together with signs depicting "natural" families and to express their dissatisfaction with the proposal.
According to Life Site News, the proposal that protesters are fighting against will allow for same-sex adoptions, schools to promote homosexuality and much more. The proposal, which is already in affect, is said to be the reason behind the biggest clash between the Mexican government and the Catholic Church. But with such a big move comes supporters as well.
The day after protesters took to the streets of Mexico, supporters of same-sex marriage took to those same streets to defend their rights. Anti-gay attacks have been taking place in Mexico for years and most recently, up to 26 anti-gay murders have taken place this year. 44 reported in 2015 and 72 reported in 2014. Though the numbers are less, it doesn't make it any better.
KRISTV.com | Continuous News Coverage | Corpus Christi As the protests continue to happen, more and more fear that the issue can become larger than what it already is. It has already been announced that The National Front for the Family-- the coalition that organized the protests-- have began to organize a mass march for September 24th in Mexico City.
Many have spoken up on the topic and different opinions have come into play:
"Legally, the question is basically settled," says Lester Feder, who covers LGBT issues for Buzzfeed told PRI.Org. "But there's an implementation problem and that is what has brought this to a broader conflict."
"In our country, there can't be those who have certain rights in some states and others who do not," Mr. Peña Nieto said at a ceremony for the National Day of the Fight Against Homophobia according to the NY Times.
"We are changing the concept that marriage is only to propagate the species," said Humberto Castillejos, the president's legal counsel, according to the NY Times. "It cannot only be to procreate children."
"Marriage is between a man and woman for the purpose of procreation," said Ariadna León, 39, a Catholic and mother of two from Ampliacion Guaycura in eastern Tijuana, according to the LA Times. "We are asking for the respect of the nucleus of society, which is the family."
Mexico even received actions from children. A 12-year-old boy displayed his support for same-sex marriages by attempting to block thousands of anti-gay protesters in Celaya, Guanajuato:
Wow! This photo! 12-Year-Old Mexican Boy Attempts to Block Thousands of Anti-Gay Protesters: https://t.co/qmHip9lA03 pic.twitter.com/uH93PYEONC — Zack Ford (@ZackFord) September 12, 2016
The photo spoke nothing but volumes. But a photo can only do but so much during these tough times. So where do the people of Mexico go from here? If protests continue to happen then the division will continue to stay. Is there a way that Mexico can come together during these tough times? Only time will tell but as Mexican Independence Day is quickly approaching, it would only make sense that those in support of same-sex marriage can enjoy their independence in the country they live in and love.
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