I don't think this fits in the other thread.

Hope your entire nation's celebrating, Jorge.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/lt_argentina_gay_marriage

Argentina legalizes gay marriage in historic vote
By MICHAEL WARREN, Associated Press Writer Michael Warren, Associated Press Writer – 1 hr 39 mins ago

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – Argentina legalized same-sex marriage Thursday, becoming the first country in Latin America to grant gays and lesbians all the legal rights, responsibilities and protections that marriage brings to heterosexual couples.

After a marathon debate, 33 lawmakers voted in favor, 27 were against it and 3 abstained in Argentina's Senate in a vote that ended after 4 a.m. Since the lower house already approved it, and President Cristina Fernandez is a strong supporter, it now becomes law as soon as it is published in the official bulletin.

The law is sure to bring a wave of marriages by gays and lesbians who have increasingly found Buenos Aires to be more accepting than many other places in the region.

The approval came despite a concerted campaign by the Roman Catholic Church and evangelical groups, which drew 60,000 people to march on Congress and urged parents in churches and schools to work against passage.

Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio said "everyone loses" with gay marriage, and "children need to have the right to be raised and educated by a father and a mother."

Nine gay couples had already married in Argentina after persuading judges that the constitutional mandate of equality supports their marriage rights, but some of these marriages were later declared invalid.

As the debate stretched on for nearly 16 hours, supporters and opponents of held rival vigils through the frigid night outside the Congress building in Buenos Aires.

"Marriage between a man and a woman has existed for centuries, and is essential for the perpetuation of the species," insisted Sen. Juan Perez Alsina, who is usually a loyal supporter of the president but gave a passionate speech against gay marriage.

But Sen. Norma Morandini, another member of the president's party, compared the discrimination closeted gays face to the oppression imposed by Argentina's dictators decades ago.


"What defines us is our humanity, and what runs against humanity is intolerance," she said.

Same-sex civil unions have been legalized in Uruguay, Buenos Aires and some states in Mexico and Brazil. Mexico City has legalized gay marriage. Colombia's Constitutional Court granted same-sex couples inheritance rights and allowed them to add their partners to health insurance plans.

But Argentina now becomes the first country in Latin America to legalize same-sex marriage nationwide, granting gays and lesbians all the same rights and responsibilities that heterosexuals have. These include many more rights than civil unions, including adopting children and inheriting wealth.

Gay rights advocates said Argentina's historic step adds momentum to similar efforts around the world.

"Today's historic vote shows how far Catholic Argentina has come, from dictatorship to true democratic values, and how far the freedom to marry movement has come, as twelve countries on four continents now embrace marriage equality," said Evan Wolfson, who runs the U.S. Freedom to Marry lobby.

He urged U.S. lawmakers to stand up "for the Constitution and all families here in the United States. America should lead, not lag, when it comes to treating everyone equally under the law."

Among the opponents were teacher Eduardo Morales, who said he believes the legislation was concocted by Buenos Aires residents who are 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."

The president, currently on a state visit to China, spoke out from there against the Argentine Catholic Church's campaign and the tone she said 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.

Some opposition leaders have accused her of promoting the initiative to gain votes in next year's presidential elections, when Fernandez's husband, former President Nestor Kirchner, is expected to run again.

The vote came after Sen. Daniel Filmus urged fellow lawmakers to show the world how much Argentina has matured.

"Society has grown up. We aren't the same as we were before," he said.

Yup. It's a big deal, especially in uber-Catholic South America. I'm really proud to live in Argentina right now.

I will say, though, this is like the Godwin's law of Argentina. Sooner or later, one of the parties, regardless of their position, is bound to make this comparison.

yet again, Argentina is setting the example for the rest of the world.

BWAVO!


clappity!
clappity!

Why do Argentineans hate God?

Thread about Iowa and other US states: viewtopic.php?f=7&t=82976

Old thread about New Jersey: viewtopic.php?f=7&t=53739

Vermont: viewtopic.php?f=7&t=82670

Connecticut: viewtopic.php?f=7&t=79025

Why "Civil Unions" are insufficient: viewtopic.php?f=7&t=72313

argentina is uber catholic too? i thought they were more relaxed about their catholicism there.

anyways, in mexico there's legal gay marriage only in mexico city, which is set up as an independent district. i don't think it's even being discussed anywhere else yet. religious conservatism ftw.

Are you requesting some merging?

Just providing links to related topics...

This seems like the more appropriate thread for this news.

good to hear

i wonder if me winning a game of poker had anything to do with this

I'm sure it did.

well, along with my role in the ryan dunn thread

"New York has always led the way for equal rights - from leading the suffrage movement, to Abraham Lincoln's remarkable speech opposing slavery speech at Cooper Union - and we have done it again. I want to thank Governor Cuomo for his extraordinary leadership and unwavering commitment to marriage equality which brought home this great victory. I also want to thank the committed advocates who worked day in and day out, and all of the New York State lawmakers - Democrats and Republicans - who came together to uphold the fundamental American values of equality and justice for all.

"New York State has sent a powerful message to the rest of the nation. The right to get married and start a family is a basic, human right that must be shared by all Americans. Every loving, committed couple in America deserves this right. And no politician should stand in the way of this fact.

"Marriage under the law is the foundation for strong families. I will continue to help lead the fight in Washington to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act so that all loving and committed marriages in New York are recognized by the federal government."

- Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, NY

Couldn't have said it better.

New York was a hotbed of Confederate sympathy in the Civil War. Just saying.

Very happy with Sen Gillibrand and State Senator Grisanti. Having a gay brother and sister, this is huge news for our family as we all reside in NY. Great day to be a NY'er.

That pretty cool. I think the most amazing thing about this legislation is that, from what I've heard, it's not limited to state residents meaning any gay couple in the US can now get married in New York.

A bit stunned this happened with a Republican majority, but a good day to be a New Yorker. I'll add Sen Saland to the list of names above since he is currently being killed by every Republican in this area right now for voting for this. Nice to see him stand up and do the right thing even though he knew it would bring a firestorm on him.