Spanish senate
rejects same-sex marriage; bill still expected to become law

The Spanish senate voted Wednesday to reject the government's bill to legalize same-sex marriage. The conservative opposition Popular Party linked up with conservatives from the region of Catalonia to vote against the bill by 131 votes to 119 in a chamber with a total of 259 seats. The Socialist government must now return the bill to the congress, where it will be able to force through the legislation. That final vote is expected next week in the last session before the legislature breaks for the summer recess. Passage is expected, and Spain would thus become the third European country to legalize same-sex marriage, after Belgium and the Netherlands. Spanish gay couples would also be allowed to adopt children. (AP)