Argentina OKs gay marriage

A girl spray paints figures of samesex couples in front of the Congress building during a demonstration. Photo: AFP

Argentina Thursday became the first country in Latin America to legalize same-sex marriage, following a landmark Senate vote carried live on national television.

The law, backed by the center-left government of President Cristina Kirchner, was adopted in a 33-27 vote after 15 hours of debate.

In this majority Roman Catholic country, some had reservations, but the law passed.

Opposition Radical Senator Gerardo Morales said Argentine society has changed, stressing that the bill was aimed at guaranteeing the rights of minorities.

Hundreds of people outside Congress cheered when the bill passed. Some chanted "Equality, Equality." Some tearful couples embraced.

In this South American nation of 40 million, in which more than 90 percent of people describe themselves as Catholic, some protestors outside, including priests, showed images of the Virgin Mary praying as lawmakers took up the legislation.

Some marchers with gay and leftist groups shouted, "Church, you garbage, you are a dictatorship."

On Wednesday, police had to separate opposing groups protesting outside the Senate that hurled eggs and oranges at each other.

Former president Adolfo Rodriguez Saa said, "Argentina has taken a step forward, but out in the street … it will take time for hatred and resentment to heal."

The law tweaks the legal code that no longer will refer to husband and wife, but rather to "the marrying parties."

Same-sex couples will have the same rights as heterosexuals in terms of adoptions, social security and family time.

The Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Canada, South Africa, Norway, Sweden, Portugal and Iceland are the other countries that allow for same-sex marriage nationwide.

Alex Freyre and Jose Maria Di Bello were the first same-sex couple to wed in Argentina on December 28 in Tierra del Fuego, in southern Argentina. They said they would take their fight to the Supreme Court if necessary.

AFP