A Colombian gay couple sparked controversy Thursday after displaying their unorthodox nativity scene, depicting two Josephs and leaving Mary absent.
Andres Vasquez and Felipe Cardenas live in the northern city of Cartagena where they are united by a civil union, the closest confirmation of marriage for homosexuals in Colombia.
The nativity was set up by the couple, who have been activists for rights of homosexuals in their country for a long time, claiming “We did it because we believe in Colombia,” referring to the hopes of reform in gay marriage laws.
The all-male nativity scene has, however, caused much controversy with the Catholic Church labelling the scene as “sacrilege.”
The Colombian homosexual population remains hopeful that gay marriage will become legal after a bill passed the first of four debates. The proposal, however, continues to attract negative attention from right wing conservatives who believe the bill is “unconstitutional.”