Sacrifices that Pay: Polity Membership, Political Opportunities and the Recognition of Same-Sex Marriage in Spain

Abstract

This article examines the Spanish gay and lesbian movement, and discusses its role in the legalization of same-sex marriages. The main focus is on the interplay between gay and lesbian rights organizations and leftist political parties during a time span that goes back to the late 1970s. In order to shed new light on the links between protest, interest representation and policy change, including law reform, this article combines the analysis of political opportunities and the exploration of some fundamental decisions taken by social movement organizations on their engagement with mainstream politics. The main argument is that impact in the area of law reform is brought about only when available opportunities for change are seized by politically incorporated social movements.Assuming for a moment that the success of a social movement could be defined as the satisfaction of its main political demands, the passing of recent legislation giving samesex couples in Spain the right to marry (Law 13/2005, 1 July) should be catalogued as an ideal example of total success. Gay and lesbian marriage is what the Spanish gay and lesbian movement wanted the most, and this is what it was given. Considering that Spain became only the third country in the world to grant marriage rights to same-sex couples at the national level, one is immediately prompted to wonder about the causes of such bold a step. Of particular interest is the pace of gay and lesbian rights recognition in Spain in comparison with other Southern European countries. Why has policymaking in Spain become so permeable to the demands of gay and lesbian rights groups? Should the enactment of marriage rights to same-sex couples be taken

A ‘Second Transition’ in Spain? Policy, Institutions and Interparty Politics under Zapatero (2004–8)

“…The centrality of gay rights in Zapatero's agenda clearly contrasts with prior governments, including the PSOE governments of Felipe González, which had a hostile relationship with the gay and lesbian movement (Calvo 2007). This meant a dramatic expansion of gay rights, including marriage and adoption, making Spain one of the few countries that grant full marriage equality to same-sex couples.…”

“…This meant a dramatic expansion of gay rights, including marriage and adoption, making Spain one of the few countries that grant full marriage equality to same-sex couples. It also passed a law that, amongst other provisions, permits transsexuals to change their name and gender in the national registry without having surgery first (Calvo 2007;Platero 2008). 8 There were also measures aimed at improving the plight of another disadvantaged group, namely the immigrant population which has dramatically increased in Spain.…”

Demografía de las parejas homosexuales en España

“…Este nivel de tolerancia era especialmente elevado entre los entrevistados más jóvenes, indicando una rápida transformación de actitudes y valores a través de las diferentes generaciones asociada con el proceso de democratización, modernización económica y secularización que ha experimentado la sociedad española (Requena, 2005). Además, la reforma tuvo lugar en un contexto político propicio en el que, según algunos autores, la ampliación de los derechos civiles permitió defi nir un proyecto de gobierno claramente reconocible como progresista por los ciudadanos (Calvo, 2007).…”

“…This level of tolerance was particularly elevated amongst the youngest of the interviewees, indicating a fast paced transformation of attitudes and values in the distinct generations associated with the democratization, economic modernization and secularization process in Spanish society (Requena 2005) Furthermore, the reform took place in a favorable political context in which, according to some authors, the increase in civil rights defi ned a clearly progressive governmental project (Calvo, 2007).…”

“…Este nivel de tolerancia era especialmente elevado entre los entrevistados más jóvenes, indicando una rápida transformación de actitudes y valores a través de las diferentes generaciones asociada con el proceso de democratización, modernización económica y secularización que ha experimentado la sociedad española (Requena, 2005). Además, la reforma tuvo lugar en un contexto político propicio en el que, según algunos autores, la ampliación de los derechos civiles permitió defi nir un proyecto de gobierno claramente reconocible como progresista por los ciudadanos (Calvo, 2007).La posibilidad de legalizar las uniones vía matrimonio no ha sido el único cambio importante introducido por la reforma del códi-go civil, sino que también lo ha sido la apertura del derecho a la paternidad y maternidad 5 La encuesta del Centro de Investigaciones Sociológi-cas sobre opiniones y actitudes hacia la familia de 2004 indicaba que el 57% de los españoles aprobaba el matrimonio homosexual. mediante la adopción.…”