Lawmakers in the southern Mexico state of Oaxaca have approved changing the civil code to authorize same-sex marriage.
A statement from the state congress says marriage will now be defined as a “civil contract celebrated between two persons, who unite to realize a life in common and provide each other respect, equality and mutual help.”
With Wednesday’s vote, about 20 of Mexico’s 31 states plus Mexico City have codified same-sex marriage into law.
Mexico’s Supreme Court ruled previously that it is unconstitutional to ban same-sex marriage. However, in states where it wasn’t expressly authorized, it has been up to individual couples to sue in court for the right to wed.
