Spain's top court has upheld the legality of the country's gay marriage law, rejecting an appeal contending that marriage can represent only the union of a man and a woman.

The county's top court voted Tuesday to dismiss the appeal filed by the conservative Popular Party that has opposed it.

Spain's parliament passed the gay marriage law in 2005 when it was Socialist-controlled. The Popular Party took power late last year.

The gay marriage law was condemned by the predominant Roman Catholic Church, but opinion surveys showed most Spaniards backed it.

Spain is Europe's third country after Belgium and the Netherlands to approve gay marriage legislation.