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Michael Warren, The Associated Press
BUENOS AIRES , Argentina – Argentina on Thursday became the first Latin American nation to legalize gay marriage, granting same-sex couples all the legal rights, responsibilities and protections that marriage brings to heterosexuals.
The Associated Press
Supporters of same-sex marriage celebrated the law's passage in Buenos Aires early Thursday.
The 33-27 Senate vote was tallied shortly before dawn, after a marathon debate that touched on religion, ethics, the legacy of Argentina's dictatorship, and the challenges of raising children. There were three abstentions.
Since the lower house already approved it, the law takes effect within days.
"From today onward, Argentina is a more just and democratic country," said Maria Rachid, president of the Argentine Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender federation. The law "not only recognizes the rights of our families, but also the possibility of having access to health care, to leave a pension, to leave our assets to the people with whom we have shared many years of life, including our children."
Passage of the law, a priority for the government of President Cristina Fernández, has inspired activists to push for similar laws in other countries.
But passage also carries political risks for Fernández and her husband, former President Nestor Kirchner.
The vote divided their governing coalition, and while gay rights have strong support in the capital, anti-gay feelings still run strong in much of Argentine society, where the vast majority of people are Roman Catholic.
The approval came despite a concerted campaign by the Roman Catholic Church and evangelical groups, which drew 60,000 people to march on Congress and urged parents in churches and schools to work against passage.
Gay civil unions have been legalized in Uruguay and some states in Mexico and Brazil.
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcon...arriage_16int.ART.State.Edition1.296dfa9.html
BUENOS AIRES , Argentina – Argentina on Thursday became the first Latin American nation to legalize gay marriage, granting same-sex couples all the legal rights, responsibilities and protections that marriage brings to heterosexuals.
The Associated Press
Supporters of same-sex marriage celebrated the law's passage in Buenos Aires early Thursday.
The 33-27 Senate vote was tallied shortly before dawn, after a marathon debate that touched on religion, ethics, the legacy of Argentina's dictatorship, and the challenges of raising children. There were three abstentions.
Since the lower house already approved it, the law takes effect within days.
"From today onward, Argentina is a more just and democratic country," said Maria Rachid, president of the Argentine Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender federation. The law "not only recognizes the rights of our families, but also the possibility of having access to health care, to leave a pension, to leave our assets to the people with whom we have shared many years of life, including our children."
Passage of the law, a priority for the government of President Cristina Fernández, has inspired activists to push for similar laws in other countries.
But passage also carries political risks for Fernández and her husband, former President Nestor Kirchner.
The vote divided their governing coalition, and while gay rights have strong support in the capital, anti-gay feelings still run strong in much of Argentine society, where the vast majority of people are Roman Catholic.
The approval came despite a concerted campaign by the Roman Catholic Church and evangelical groups, which drew 60,000 people to march on Congress and urged parents in churches and schools to work against passage.
Gay civil unions have been legalized in Uruguay and some states in Mexico and Brazil.
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcon...arriage_16int.ART.State.Edition1.296dfa9.html
