Gay Rights in Portugal

752 Words2 Pages

Many people would automatically assume, given Portugal’s strong Roman Catholic values that it would be one of the last countries in the world to consider legalizing same-sex marriage. People have the misconception that because of the strong religious values the country holds it still has an outdated and old-fashioned mindset. But truth be told Portugal did indeed legalize same-sex marriage on June 5th, 2010. It was the eighth in the world to recognize same-sex marriage, putting itself ahead of more wealthy European countries such as Great Britain and France. Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights in Portugal have improved substantially in the past decade and are now among the best in the world. But just because Portugal is ahead of other countries, it doesn’t mean it was an easy journey nor does it mean they have reached full civil right justice.

Same-sex sexual activity was first decriminalized in 1852, but it was made a crime again in 1886, and Portugal gradually became more oppressive of homosexuals until and throughout the years of Salazar’s dictatorship. It wasn't until 1982, eight years after the Carnation Revolution that same-sex sexual activity was decriminalized again. After the reign of Salazar, Portugal emerged from the previous years determined to exhibit a modernity and concern for human rights. Spain legalizing same sex marriage definitely had an enormous influence in Portugal’s decision. Spain’s first initial step reflected that even though the vast majority of Spaniards belonged to the Catholic Church that hold on everyday mores and behaviors also had an impact in society and Spanish Parliament regardless approved the law. Nonetheless, Portugal wanted to stay in place with modernizing boarding neighbor Sp...

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...wards a productive civil rights movement. Even though the church has opposed the measure, but Portuguese society appears to be largely supportive. Portugal is definitely beginning to move in the right direction and setting an example for many other countries to follow, but they still have much progression of their own to do in order to reach maximum equality amongst all citizens.

Resources:
Bruni, Frank. “One Country’s Big Gay Leap”. www.nytimes.com/2011/10/09/opinion/sunday/bruni-same-sex-marriage-in-portugal.html. Accessed April 1, 2014.
France-Presse, Agence. “Portugal Rejects Gay Partner Adoption Law”. http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/afp/140314/portugal-rejects-gay-partner-adoption-law
Accessed April 3, 2014.
Richard. “Portugal adopts Trans Law – 8 days for Legal Gender Recognition” http://www.tgeu.org/PR_Portuese_Trans_Law. Accessed April 3, 2014.

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