SAN JUAN (AP):

Puerto Rico's Supreme Court has narrowly voted to uphold a law banning gay couples from adopting children.

Yesterday's 5-4 vote comes in the case of an unidentified woman who sought to adopt a child that her partner had through in vitro fertilisation.

A majority of judges upheld the constitutionality of a law specifying that a family is comprised of a mother and father, saying that is best for a child's dignity and well-being.

Chief Justice Federico Hernandez Denton dissented. He also said that the plaintiff's attorneys proved the adoption would benefit the child.

The vote comes as Puerto Rican legislators prepare to debate several bills that would extend more rights to gays and lesbians.