After a few years of inaction, a federal judge in Mexico has given Sonoran authorities a deadline to approve a marriage equality reform.

At the latest, the reform will need to be done by the end of the next regular congressional session, or mid-December of this year, according to the ruling.

What needs to be changed are several elements of Sonora’s family code, which currently states that same-sex marriages are “juridically impossible,” among other things.

In his ruling, federal Judge Antonio Mora noted that these laws, and the Sonoran Congress’ inaction on the matter to date, “perpetuate the notion that same-sex couples are less deserving of recognition than straight couples, thereby offending their human dignity and integrity.”

“It’s a historic ruling,” said Jesus Manuel Herrera, whose law firm brought the case.

There is a small window for appeals, but Herrera said he thinks that’s very unlikely. Once finalized, the court’s deadline will be set, and officials could face serious legal consequences if they don’t meet it. 

The Show spoke with KJZZ's Murphy Woodhouse, who is based in Sonora as part of the Fronteras Desk, to learn about this recent development.