Five gay and lesbian couples married in a large mass ceremony in Mexico City this week as the city's new same-sex marriage law came into effect.
"Today is a historic day," said Civil Registry Judge Hegel Cortes at Thursday's ceremony. "It solidifies the evolution of one of the most important rights."
The new law also allows married gay and lesbian couples to adopt children, apply for bank loans together, inherit wealth and be included in their spouse's insurance policies.
Same-sex marriage is also legal in Belgium, South Africa, Canada, Spain, The Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and five states of America.
