Mexico City: Mexico's Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that all 31 states must recognize same-sex marriages performed in the capital, though its decision does not force those states to begin marrying gay couples in their territory. In a 9-2 decision, the tribunal cited an article of the constitution requiring states to recognize legal contracts drawn up elsewhere. (At Right: Married Mexican couple.)

It did not specify what degree of recognition must be granted to same-sex couples.

Mexico City's same-sex marriage law, enacted in March, extends to wedded gay couples the right to adopt children, to jointly apply for bank loans, to inherit wealth and to be covered by their spouses' insurance policies. Some of those may end up applying only in the capital.

The Supreme Court ruled last week that same-sex weddings are constitutional, but it is holding separate discussions this week on the adoption clause.

Note from Ron: The gay marriage issue will likely be settled in he USA as it has been in Mexico. If one State recognizes straight marriages performed in other states, it follows that it has to recognized same sex marriages performed in other states. Individual State laws against gay marriage would be moot.