One would think that the Christian Right would have better things to do during the current recession than continually harping on about the alleged iniquities of same-sex marriage and civil unions. Unfortunately and predictably, that isn’t the case. Recently, the so-called “World Congress of Families”, an international Christian Right coalition of opponents of feminism, reproductive choice and LGBT rights met in Mexico City, just after it had opened same-sex marriage proper and adoptive parental responsibilities to lesbians and gay men.

Red Familia (Family Network- Mexico’s WCF affiliate) opposes the introduction of same-sex marriage in Mexico City and will present a petition to Government leaders.

US signers of the petition include Gary Bauer of “American Values”, Tom DeLay, former Republican Majority Leader of the US House of Representatives, Tony Perkins of the notoriously antigay Family Research Council, Dr Paige Patterson of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Dr Jerry Newcombe of Coral Ridge Ministries, Don Wildmon of the so-called American Family Association and Wendy Wright of Concerned Women for America, that country’s largest antifeminist group. One hopes that there were no New Zealand signatories…

Mexico City’s legislature approved same-sex marriage and LGBT adoption in late December  2009 (39-25). Five Mexican state governors subsequently sued Mexico City FD, for legalising same sex marriage. They stated tha the law was “unconstitutional” and would require their own state governments to recognise same-sex marriages despite their own opposition. Fortunately, the Mexican Supreme Court rejected the lawsuits of three of the states, although a ruling on the other two cases is still pending. However, the federal Mexican Attorney General’s  has filed its own complaint, arguing that it is “unconstitutional”. The suit is still ongoing.

“In the future, wherever judges or bureaucrats attempt to force homosexual marriage on a people, the international pro-family movement will be engaged,” vowed one spokesperson. “A threat to the natural family anywhere is a threat to the family everywhere.”  Really?! And recession, mortgage foreclosures, welfare privatisation, homelessness, government education and health cutbacks don’t, I suppose? Apparently not for the Christian Right, which obviously doesn’t care for real families in need, threatened by economic stringencies, not LGBT relationship equality. “Pro-family” indeed!

However, happily, the naysayers couldn’t stop Lol-Kin Castaneda (33) and Judith Vasquez (45) from their wedding, followed by four other lesbian and gay couples as the law took effect.

One can also forget about the “World” Congress angle, for that matter. Having visited their website, I noted that most of their speakers and constituent organisations hailed from the US Christian Right, with the exception of REAL Women and Endeavour Forum (Canadian and Australian antifeminists), and sundry Polish, Nigerian, Swiss, Latin American and Italian groups. However, its ‘internationalism’ is a farce!

Recommended:

“Gay Couple wed in Latin American first” NewsCorp: 12.03.10: http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/breaking-news/gay-couple-wed-in-latin-american-first/story-e6frea73-1225839830335

Not recommended:

“Coalition vows to fight gay marriage”: Challenge Weekly: 08.03.2010: http://www.challengeweekly.co.nz/world/138-coalition-vows-to-fight-gay-marriage.html

“World” Congress of Families: http://www.worldcongress.org