Mexicans march for gay marriage, day after opponents rally

Hundreds of gay and lesbian rights supporters marched to Mexico City's Metropolitan Cathedral to support same-sex marriage Sunday, one day after thousands marched against it.

Sunday's demonstrators carried a banner reading "We are families too" and placards reading "I respect your family, respect mine."

A day earlier, marches were held in several Mexican cities opposing same-sex marriage. White-clad demonstrators Saturday chanted "Children need a father and a mother!" and "Wake up and defend the family."

In May, President Enrique Peña Nieto proposed legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide. It is currently legal only in some places such as Mexico City, the northern state of Coahuila and Quintana Roo state on the Caribbean coast.

Peña Nieto's party suffered losses in midterm elections in June and has largely sat on the initiative since then.