Uruguay Votes For Gay Marriage

Congress in the South American country of Uruguay has voted overwhelmingly to legalise gay marriage.

Uruguay will become the second ‘Latin American’ country to legalise same-sex marriages; Argentina became the first such country in 2010. On the world-stage Uruguay joins a growing list of countries which have already legalised gay marriage such as Canada, Denmark, Iceland, Sweden and Belgium. Countries such as France and the UK have voted, earlier this year, to legalise same-sex marriages.

The BBC reports that the bill was approved by two-thirds of the lower chamber in Uruguay and already has the support of the Upper House. It is expected to be signed into law within two weeks; President Jose Mujuica has been a supporter of the bill.

Unsurprisingly the Catholic Church in the country have been opposed to the bill. The news that gay and lesbian couples will now be legally able to marry was welcomed by activists attending the session in Congress. Shouts of “freedom, freedom” were heard upon the passing of the bill.

The move by Uruguay could see other Latin American countries passing similar laws. Same-sex marriage is already legal in Mexico City – though not the rest of Mexico – and in Brazil the country’s supreme court voted in favour of allowing same-sex couples the same legal rights as married heterosexuals.