Spanish same-sex marriage statistics reported
More than 18,000 same-sex couples got married in Spain between 2005, when it became possible, and the end of 2010, according to newly released government statistics.
The figures show 18,634 same-sex marriages have been registered.
However, the State Federation of Lesbians, Gays, Transsexuals and Bisexuals (FELGBT) believes that not all the marriages have been recorded, and that the actual number is 23,000.
In 2010, 2.1 percent of marriages were between people of the same sex, according to the official statistics. There were 2,216 male marriages and 1,367 between women.
FELGBT said that ongoing rhetoric from the Partido Popular (People's Party) about repealing the same-sex marriage law has led to an increase in marriages by same-sex couples "because of fear of not being able to exercise their right to matrimony if the PP wins the elections."
