Last week the Mexican capital, Mexico City, became the first place in South America to legalise same-sex marriage.
 
In the face of opposition from conservatives and the Catholic church, the motion to legalise gay marriage was taken by the city's assembly. The legislation also gives gay couples the right to adopt children, apply for joint bank loans, inherit their partner's money and share insurance policies.
 
Those opposing the ruling included the Cardinal Norberto Rivera Carrera  who said "innocent children" could be adopted by gay couples,  and the Mexican President's National Action party which had said it would try to block the law.