Gay rights activist and member of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party executive board Pedro Zerolo (L) flashes a victory sign outside Madrid's parliament June 30, 2005.

Beijing, June 30 -- Spain legalized same-sex marriages on Thursday, becoming only the fourth country to do so after Belgium, Canada and the Netherlands and overriding fierce opposition from the Catholic Church.

    Supporters jumped to their feet to celebrate in a crowded public gallery when parliament voted to push the law through. Outside, dozens of same-sex couples hugged and kissed, some of them in tears.

    The Catholic Church has strongly resisted Spain's gay marriage law but a survey last year showed 70 percent of Spaniards supported legalizing gay marriage.

    Spain's Congress on Thursday approved the bill, overriding the upper house, the Senate, which had rejected it.

    The law gives same-sex unions the same status as heterosexual ones, including inheritance rights, pensions and the adoption of children.

    Canada on Tuesday became the third country to legalize same-sex marriages. Belgium allowed for them in June 2003. The Netherlands allowed same sex-marriages in December 2000 although Dutch law had recognized registered partnerships since 1998.

    (Source: CRIENGLISH.com)