Spain Legalizes Same Sex Marriages

Spain's Parliament legalized gay marriage, defying conservatives and clergy who opposed making traditionally Roman Catholic Spain the third nation to allow same-sex unions.

Gay activists cheered the vote and blew kisses to lawmakers. The measure passed the 350-seat Congress of Deputies by a vote of 187-147 with four abstentions. The bill also lets gay couples adopt children and inherit each others' property. The bill is now law.

The Senate, where conservatives hold the largest number of seats, rejected the bill last week. But it is an advisory body and final say on legislation rests with the Congress of Deputies. After the final tally was announced, gay and lesbian activists watching from the spectator section of the ornate chamber cheered, embraced each other, waved to lawmakers and blew them kisses.

Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero noted that in debate before the vote. ''We were not the first, but I am sure we will not be the last. After us will come many other countries, driven, ladies and gentlemen, by two unstoppable forces: freedom and equality,'' he told the chamber.

Zapatero said the reform of Spanish legal code simply adds one paragraph but means much, much more. He called it ''a small change in wording that means an immense change in the lives of thousands of citizens. We are not legislating, ladies and gentlemen, for remote unknown people. We are expanding opportunities for the happiness of our neighbors, our work colleagues, our friends, our relatives.'' Zapatero lacks a majority in the chamber but got help from small regional-based parties that tend to be his allies.