Portugal becomes 6th European country to allow gay marriage after president’s OK

Portugal’s president ratifies gay marriage law

LISBON, Portugal — Portugal’s conservative president says he has decided to ratify a law allowing gay marriage in the predominantly Catholic country.

The head of state’s decision to permit the enactment of a bill passed by Parliament in January makes Portugal the sixth European country allowing same-sex couples to wed.

President Anibal Cavaco Silva announced his decision Monday.

The Socialist government’s bill was backed by all of Portugal’s left-of-center parties, who together have a majority in Parliament. Right-of-center parties opposed the measure and demanded a national referendum.

Portugal’s Constitutional Court validated the bill’s legality last month.