Mexico City lawmakers gave gay couples the right to marry in December and now the country, which is steeped in tradition, is braced for a culture war.
Opponents vow to protect the sanctity of the institution, while supporters say they're fighting for the civil rights of same-sex couples.
Three years ago Mexico City's assembly allowed civil unions for gay couples, and gay-rights activist Joselo Castillo took advantage of the change in law.
His partner, a member of the Mexican military who faces dishonorable discharge if he's identified, said he’s critical of the new marriage law since it does not guarantee full rights for same-sex spouses, like social security benefits.
Meanwhile, Father Jose de Jesus Aguilar, spokesman for the Archdiocese of Mexico City says the mistake was calling it a marriage. He said the church is not against giving gay couples some legal protection, but it is highly critical on the issue of adoption by same-sex couples -- which is something that the Mexico City law will also allow.
Eight out of ten Mexico City residents share that opinion, according to a recent telephone survey paid for by the conservative political party Partido de Acción Nacional (PAN).
That same survey found most Mexico City residents don't object to same-sex marriages.
The PAN party plans to challenge the law, which was passed by Mexico’s liberal Partido Revolucionario Democrático Party (PRD) and is taking the case to Mexico’s Supreme Court.
Jesus Chairez, a Texan who moved to Mexico City three years ago, said with the future of the law uncertain, it's too soon to predict whether gay Americans will try to get married in Mexico.
“In the land of machos it's happening. It's changing, you know and that's it. People are used to the status quo and they don't like change,” he said.
One thing that both supporters and opponents of gay marriage agree on is that Mexico City may not be the battleground at all. In fact, it could be conservative states like Guanajuato where lawmakers could vote to ban gay marriage.
In Mexico City same sex couples can marry starting in March -- unless the courts intervene.
Gay Mexicans said they are encouraged.
“ I think it's the beginning of a new age in this country,” said Erivans Ramirez, a student. “We hope so, we hope so.”
