During the early hours of Thursday, April 7, the Jalisco Congress approved three initiatives in favor of sexual diversity. Photo: Twitter. 

Under the slogans «It’s time Jalisco,» «Nothing to Cure» and «Jalisco of Equals,» the State Congress recognized same-sex marriage and gender identity, and prohibited conversion therapies. 

In a marathon session of the Plenary that lasted until the early hours of April 7, the local deputies legislated in favor of the fight for the recognition of the rights of the LGTBTTIQ+ community. 

With 26 votes in favor, eight against and three abstentions, the amendment to the Civil Code of Jalisco was approved so that marriage will be equal, that is, between people regardless of their gender identity and not between a man and a woman as previously established. 

Another of the initiatives voted was the prohibition of the Efforts to Correct Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (ECOSIG) also known as conversion therapies. 

This amendment was approved with 32 votes in favor, five against and zero abstentions, in which the Penal Code of Jalisco will be reformed so that those who promote, apply or finance conversion therapies will be fined from 50 to 300 times the daily minimum wage (currently from 4,811 to 28,866 pesos, about US$240 to US$1,440), or with 30 to 100 days of community service. 

The third reform approved by the legislators was the initiative to recognize the prerogative of transsexual persons to gender identity, which received 26 votes in favor, ten against and zero abstentions. 

The three initiatives were submitted for approval during the 38th extraordinary session of the local Congress which began around 11:00 pm and concluded at 2:00 am, with voting by secret ballot. 

Outside the building, sexual diversity collectives celebrated the approval of the legislative reforms as a historic event for the recognition of human rights and the promotion of a «Jalisco of Equals.» 

Translated by Kerry Watson