Argentina legalises gay marriage

by Ethan Cole
Christian Post
Friday, July 16, 2010

Argentina legalised same-sex marriage Thursday, offering gay couples all the same rights given to their heterosexual counterparts, including adopting children.

In a 33 to 27 vote, with three abstentions, Argentina became the first country in Latin America to legally recognise gay marriage. While same-sex civil unions are recognised in Buenos Aires, parts of Mexico and Brazil and in Uruguay, no other Latin American country prior to Argentina had allowed gay and lesbian couples to marry.

The unprecedented legislation passed despite intense opposition by the Roman Catholic Church, which is powerful in the predominantly Catholic nation. President Cristina Fernandez and her centre-left government are strong advocates of gay rights and legalisation of gay marriage. Fernandez has stated she will sign the legislation. the rest