Puerto Rico Governor Signs Gay Rights Measure

Puerto Rico's governor has signed a bill that prohibits employment discrimination based on gender or sexual orientation.

Alejandro Garcia Padilla said Wednesday that he met his obligations as a Christian by signing the bill and congratulated legislators on approving the proposal.

The original measure would have also banned discrimination in commercial transactions, property rentals, public transportation and other circumstances. Those clauses were removed after heavy opposition by religious groups.

Most government agencies in the U.S. territory already have anti-discriminatory policies, but human rights activists say they are often not enforced.

Garcia also signed a separate bill that extends a domestic violence law to gay couples.