Uruguay votes to legalize gay marriage

PanARMENIAN.Net - Uruguayan lawmakers have voted to legalize gay marriage, making the South American country the third in the Americas to do so, Belfast Telegraph said.

Supporters of the law, who had filled the public seats in the legislative building, erupted in celebration on Wednesday, April 10 when the results were announced. The bill received the backing of 71 of the 92 members of the Chamber of Deputies present.

The "marriage equality project" as it is called, was already approved by ample majorities in both legislative houses, but senators made some changes that required a final vote by the deputies. Gay and lesbian foreigners will now be allowed to come to Uruguay to marry, just as heterosexual couples can, said Michelle Suarez of the Black Sheep Collective.

President Jose Mujica, whose governing Broad Front majority backed the law, is expected to put it into effect within 10 days. Nationalist Senator Gerardo Amarilla opposed the law, saying it "debases the institution of marriage" and affects the family, especially in its "role in procreation".

The vote makes Uruguay the third country in the Americas after Canada and Argentina to eliminate laws making marriage, adoption and other family rights exclusive to heterosexuals. In all, 12 nations around the world now have taken this step.