Same-Sex Marriage Begins in Uruguay

Rodrigo Borda and Sergio Mirando became the first gay couple to register for marriage in Uruguay.

USA Today reports that the couple rushed to the Montevideo civil registry before dawn on Monday--when marriage equality went into effect--in order to become the first same-sex couple in their country to register. Uruguay passed legislation to legalize same-sex marriage in April, becoming the second South American country, after Argentina, to have marriage equality.

"This is an historic day for us and for the country," said Borda, who has been with his partner for 14 years. "No longer will there be first- and second-class citizens. This will be seen in many countries where this option still isn't possible, and hopefully help people in those places live more freely."

"There are people who constantly live a double-life," Borda continued. "That's why we've made this so visible, to show that it can be done. We're in a country that has a very open mind right now--you can see it in the people and in the street."

Since Uruguay normally requires a 10-day waiting period between registering and marriage, Borda and Mirando have not yet tied the knot. Nor have they confirmed a set date. The distinction of the nation's first same-sex marriage went to an unidentified couple, who was granted special permission to wed, as one of the men is dying of cancer.