Good on for them, no more crying in Argentina for gays! Nice to see another country join the 21st centuryBUENOS AIRES, Argentina – Senators on Wednesday debated whether to allow gays to wed and make Argentina the first country in Latin America to grant same-sex marriages all the rights of heterosexual unions.
The disputed proposal is backed by the government of President Cristina Fernandez, but is strongly opposed by Argentina's Roman Catholic Church and evangelical groups, which staged a massive march in Buenos Aires on Tuesday that drew 60,000 people.
As the debate continued into the night Wednesday, supporters and opponents of same-sex marriage kept vigil outside the Congress building in Buenos Aires.
The measure, which was approved by the lower house of Congress in May, would give same-sex couples the same rights as heterosexual ones.
Same-sex civil unions have been legalized in Uruguay, Buenos Aires and some states in Mexico and Brazil. Mexico City has legalized gay marriage. In Colombia, the Constitutional Court granted same-sex couples inheritance rights and allowed them to add their partners to health insurance plans.
But Argentina would be the first country in Latin America to legalize same-sex marriage, which generally carries more exclusive rights than civil unions, including adopting children and inheriting wealth.
"Nearly every political and social figure has spoken out in favor of marriage equality for everyone," said Maria Rachid, president of the Argentine Federation of Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Transsexuals. "And we hope that the Senate reflects this and that Argentina, from today forward, is a more just country for all families."
As a small group of the bill's opponents said the Hail Mary prayer nearby, teacher Eduardo Morales said he thought the legislation was concocted by Buenos Aires residents out step with the views of the country.
"They want to convert this city into the gay capital of the world," said Morales, of San Luis province.
Ines Franck, director of the group Familias Argentinas, said the legislation cuts against centuries of tradition.
Opposing the measure "is not discrimination, because the essence of a family is between two people of opposite sexes," he said. "Any variation goes against the law, and against nature."
Fernandez has spoken out against the Catholic Church's attempts to thwart the law and the tone that the critiques of some religious groups have taken.
"It's very worrisome to hear words like 'God's war' or 'the devil's project,' things that recall the times of the Inquisition," she said earlier this year.
Fernandez's husband, former President Nestor Kirchner who is currently a congressman, has been a strong supporter of the legislation.
Some opposition leaders have accused the couple of promoting the initiative with an eye on next year's presidential elections, when many speculate that Kirchner will run again.
But Edgardo Mocca, a political science professor at the University of Buenos Aires, said the senate vote is a transcendent moment for Argentine society as it weighs whether rules of marriage are determined by the church or the state.
Senators will vote first on whether or not to approve a resolution against same sex marriage. If the resolution is voted down, they will vote on a resolution in favor of same-sex marriage.
Nine gay couples have already married in Argentina after petitioning judges.
Naturally however the religious nuts are all up in arms, and as always, the comments are often the most entertaining.
Europe, once the flag holder of Christianity, is tragically becoming more atheist as we speak. The christian population is severely dying. Now, with no fear of God, Europeans are embracing gayism and its evil. From England to Portugal to France, Germany, etc, Gay marriage is legalized and the word of God is forgotten.
The same is happening in the US. As christianity decreased by 10% in the past 15 years here, a handful of US states have legalized gay marriage. The connection here is unavoidable.
Now, South America, a continent that once embraced Christianity is following the same path. Gayism is sadly being accepted there too.
This is the difference, christianity is not as strong in imposing its religious laws. Maybe the christians should look at the Muslims and learn from the. Gays in Muslim lands are not even publicly tolerated. From Morocco to Indonesia, tell me which Muslim land even recognizes gayism? The answer is none do because the Muslims are not weak as we Christians are becoming.
