The state of Tamaulipas voted to recognize same-sex marriage, making it legal in all 32 states.
The Congress of Tamaulipas state on the northeastern border of Mexico voted to recognize same-sex marriage, making it legal nationwide.
Becoming the last state in the country to do so, Tamaulipas amended the state’s Civil Code on Wednesday, sparking cheers of “Yes, we can!” from advocates of change.
The states of Mexico, Sonora and Sinaloa recently voted to legalize same-sex marriage, as it is a long-awaited mark of progress in a country known for its gender-based violence.
“Today is a historic day for the LGBTQ community and Mexico. Today, we and our families are seen more, more equal, and we are a nation with more justice,” said activist Enrique Torre Molina.
Mexico City became the first area of the country to legalize same-sex marriage in 2009.
The President of the Nation’s Supreme Court of Justice, Arturo Zaldívar, welcomed the vote.
“The whole country shines with a giant rainbow. Live in accordance with the dignity and rights of everyone. Love is love,” he said on Twitter.
In 2015, the Supreme Court declared state laws that prevent same-sex marriage unconstitutional, but some states took several years to pass legislation consistent with the ruling.
Same-sex marriage remains illegal or unrecognized in Paraguay, Bolivia, Peru, Venezuela, most of Central America and the Caribbean, according to global LGBTQ rights tracker Equaldex.
