Argentina Passes Gay Marriage

Argentina became the first Latin American country to legalize gay marriage on Thursday. The vote took place in the Argentinean senate at 4 a.m. after 16 hours, with 33 senators voting for, 27 against, and three abstaining. The Roman Catholic Church fought the measure tooth and nail, organizing a 60,000 person march on Congress. The legislation will also give gay couples all the same rights enjoyed by straight couples, including adoption and inheritance.

Argentina's capital is widely considered to be among the most gay-friendly cities in Latin America. It was the first Latin American city to legalise same-sex unions.


Same-sex civil unions are also legal in Uruguay and some states in Brazil and Mexico, while gay marriage is legal in Mexico City.

As reported in the BBC "nearly every political and social figure has spoken out in favour of marriage equality," said Maria Rachid, president of the Argentine Federation of Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Transsexuals.

Equality and freedom win out in Argentina.  And where does the US, the land of the free and the home of the brave, stand?  Still in th dark-ages!