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Posted on Advocate.com July 15, 2010 03:35:00 AM ET

Story Updated : July 15, 2010 07:19:00 AM

Argentina Passes Gay Marriage Bill

In a debate that lasted well into the early hours of Thursday morning, Argentina's senate voted 33-27 to make theirs the first country in South America to legalize same-sex marriage.

Gay rights activists had predicted a close vote. According to reports, debate in Buenos Aires lasted until 4 a.m.

The subject of marriage has been a hot-button issue in Argentina for the past several months. In December, José Maria Di Bello and Alex Freyre became the country's first legally married same-sex couple because of a legal loophole.

Freedom to Marry's Evan Wolfson issued the following statement early Tuesday morning: "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 12 countries on four continents now embrace marriage equality. Argentina's vote for the freedom to marry marks an important advance for fairness and family values as more couples around the world will now share in marriage, with families helped and no one hurt. Today's vote adds momentum to the international movement to secure the freedom to marry for all loving and committed couples.

"Key to Argentina's human rights achievement was strong leadership from legislators and the president. It is time we see more of our own elected officials standing 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."

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Reader Comments

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Name: Josué Betim
Date posted: 7/30/2010 12:07:38 AM
Hometown: Rio de Janeiro (RJ) Brasil

Comment:
Don't cry for me Argentina. Soon it will be our time to have the gay marriage. I still hope Lula can have it done before the elections... I can see the gay marriage moving north towards us, we where not the first but i don't think we'll be the last. Agora é o nosso momento. A comunidade tem de se organizar e lutar pelos nossos direitos.
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Name: Maria
Date posted: 7/22/2010 7:51:13 PM
Hometown: Buenos Aires

Comment:
We are really proud to continue our tradition of leadership in terms of civil rights: our country abolished slavery in 1813, authorized feminine suffrage in 1947 and since July 15th extended the civil marriage not only to men and women born in Argentina but also to foreign residents. Besides, gay and lesbian people already could adopt children but now gay and lesbian couples will be able too. We are really happy and proud of LGBT leaders, representatives, friends, families and all the people who supported this bill!
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Name: Joan
Date posted: 7/21/2010 12:01:03 AM
Hometown: New York

Comment:
THANK YOU, ARGENTINA, FOR RECOGNIZING HUMAN RIGHTS! The United States should hang their head in shame! All people who believe in human rights issues should vacation in Argentina! The U.S. supports the position of fundamentalist, backwards, and ignorant people!
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Name: Tomas
Date posted: 7/18/2010 2:47:08 AM
Hometown: Buenos Aires

Comment:
4 days after that historic day, I can't really describe how happy and proud I am and how different it feels to walk down exactly the same streets of Buenos Aires that I walked for 33 years. Now I feel Im in a new city, in a new country, where Im not a shadow or somebody else's object of discrimination, anger and threat. I am now protected by law, recognized by the constitution, it is not a dream, it's real: I am real. My country just told me: "Tomas, for me, you exist". I feel complete. I feel joy and tears roll down by face at least once a day, but a smile comes right after it, saying thanks to all the fierce gays and lesbians who made this possible, but also to an unmeasurable number of straight people who made this happen. From the representatives and Senators (who offered inspiring, brave, witty and thougthful speeches) to all my straight friends who were as happy as I was/am because they understood from this moment on, we are a better (and more colorful) society.
Back to top Post a Comment Report Abuse
Name: Tomas
Date posted: 7/18/2010 2:46:35 AM
Hometown: Buenos Aires

Comment:
4 days after that historic day, I can't really describe how happy and proud I am and how different it feels to walk down exactly the same streets of Buenos Aires that I walked for 33 years. Now I feel Im in a new city, in a new country, where Im not a shadow or somebody else's object of discrimination, anger and threat. I am now protected by law, recognized by the constitution, it is not a dream, it's real: I am real. My country just told me: "Tomas, for me, you exist". I feel complete. I feel joy and tears roll down by face at least once a day, but a smile comes right after it, saying thanks to all the fierce gays and lesbians who made this possible, but also to an unmeasurable number of straight people who made this happen. From the representatives and Senators (who offered inspiring, brave, witty and thougthful speeches) to all my straight friends who were as happy as I was/am because they understood from this moment on, we are a better (and more colorful) society.
Back to top Post a Comment Report Abuse
Name: JD
Date posted: 7/16/2010 12:40:22 AM
Hometown: Los Angeles

Comment:
BTW I'm not saying I agree with the UK's policy, just correcting a poster who said the UK had Civil Unions with limited rights. They don't.
Back to top Post a Comment Report Abuse
Name: JD
Date posted: 7/16/2010 12:13:54 AM
Hometown: Los Angeles

Comment:
Actually UK Civil Partnerships are identical to marriage in all rights across all levels of government: pensions, inheritance immigration, medical decisions and next-of-kin status. Maybe because they got everything from the get-go they feel there's less emphasis on the word. Some straight people are campaigning for the right to CP!
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Name: FRANCIS S TORRES
Date posted: 7/16/2010 12:10:48 AM
Hometown: LEEDS

Comment:
Can any of you guys remember a time when the US was the leader in terms of Civil Rights? Shame on you, Obama. SHAME!
Back to top Post a Comment Report Abuse
Name: nicolas
Date posted: 7/15/2010 11:31:41 PM
Hometown: Buenos Aires

Comment:
24hs after the historical moment I can tell you it has been a glorious day. Walking by the streets of Buenos Aires has been different to previous days. Somehow, looking at my people, I noticed we —the citizens of Argentina— are no longer the same ones. I can't wipe off the smile of my face thinking of the babies born today. They will live their whole life in a country with equal rights.
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Name: beezelbub
Date posted: 7/15/2010 11:13:25 PM
Hometown: the fiery pit

Comment:
Yeah Joe, you're right! These ARE the last days. So don't waste any time. Quit school, your job, whatever it is you're doing. There's no point continuing that now, since there's only these last days left! Start praying like crazy. And you might as well run up your credit cards too, spend it all helping the poor or something. No sense letting these last days go to waste! praise jeebus!

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