Same-sex couples in Portugal could be tying the knot as early as April, if a government bill legalizing gay marriage gets passed into law as expected.

In a 125 – 99 vote today, the Portuguese parliament passed a bill that drops from existing law a reference to marriage being between two people of different sexes.

Prime Minister Jose Socrates championed the “slight change” in Portugal’s marriage law as “a very important and symbolic step towards fully ensuring respect for values that are essential in any democratic, open and tolerant society: the values of freedom, equality and non-discrimination.”

“This law rights a wrong,” he said.

The next step is for a committee to review the bill before it is returned to parliament for a final vote. If Portuguese President Anibal Cavaco Silva ratifies the law, it could take effect in April. If the president vetoes the legislation, Parliament could vote to overturn the veto.

The other European countries that currently authorize same-sex marriage are Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and Norway.

For further details:  BBC News and The Guardian