Despite widespread support the left-leaning Socialist party, a bill that would have allowed gay couples to adopt children has been defeated in Portugal's Parliament. Versions of the law were submitted by the Green, Left Block, and Socialist parties, but the bill that was up for debate this past week was narrowly ousted by a slim 30 votes.
The entire Parliamentary body is composed of 220 representatives. Provisions preventing gay people from adopting children were written into a 2010 law that finally allowed gay couples to marry.