After a 15-hour debate from Wednesday through the early morning hours on Thursday, the bill to legalize gay marriage passed in a 33-27 vote.
Under the leadership of President Cristina Kirchner, Argentina has become the first Latin American country to allow gays and lesbians the same rights in marriage as heterosexual couples, including the adoption of children and inheritance of wealth.
In a country where 90 percent of the citizens consider themselves Roman Catholic, the decision to allow gay marriage is historic. Outside of Congress, dueling parties argued over the impending change but in the end, the country decided to move forward with equal rights for all.
“What defines us is our humanity, and what runs against humanity is intolerance,” Sen. Norma Morandini told the Associated Press.
After the final decision, the mood outside Congress became celebratory, with tears of happiness and shouts of, “Equality, Equality.”
“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 of the US Freedom to Marry lobby.
Argentina leads the way in Latin America, but follows Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Canada, South Africa, Norway, Sweden, Portugal and Iceland in the legalization of gay marriage around the world. Currently, five US states and Washington D.C., as well as Mexico City, also allow same-sex marriage.
Although the government has taken a historic step toward equality for all, many of the country’s citizens will need a little time to accept it.
Former president Adolfo Rodriguez Saa told AFP, ”Argentina has taken a step forward, but out in the street … it will take time for hatred and resentment to heal.”
Photo by blmurch via Flickr.