Theresa Gutierrez has a lot of love to give.
After losing her husband nearly a decade ago, Gutierrez raised her eldest daughter, now in her mid-20s, and her son Brandon, who is now 16.
Just about a year ago, Theresa and Brandon welcomed 10-year-old Phillip into their home, and as of Feb. 25, he is officially a member of the family. Phillip was adopted through Wesley Family Services.
“My daughter was getting older and getting ready to leave the house,” Gutierrez said. “So two years ago, I went through training with Wesley.”
Phillip, now 11, is getting ready to finish fifth grade. He and older brother Brandon already have developed a typical sibling rivalry, ribbing each another and joking.
The Dutch legalized same-sex marriage in 2001. Who followed?
Updated 8:08 AM;
AMSTERDAM (AP) Twenty years ago, just after the stroke of midnight on April 1, the mayor of Amsterdam married four couples in City Hall as the Netherlands became the first country in the world with legalized same-sex marriages.
“There are two reasons to rejoice,″ Mayor Job Cohen told the newlyweds before pink champagne and pink cake were served. ″You are celebrating your marriage, and you are also celebrating your right to be married.″
Same-sex marriage is now legal in 28 countries worldwide, as well as the self-governing island of Taiwan. That includes most of Western Europe. Yet its spread has been uneven Taiwan is the only place in Asia to take the step; South Africa is the only African country to do so.