Same-sex marriage in Argentina

Following legal controversy involving the annulling of a number of same-sex marriages, Argentina has become the first country in Latin America to legalise same-sex marriage. The law now extends a number of legal protections to same-sex spouses (including adoption rights and benefits entitlement), and now phrases the definition of marriage as being "between partners".

This is a huge deal. Latin American homophobia just isn't the same as European homophobia. It's a very different kind of beast.

Transcript of the BBC video follows below:

A woman's voice voiceover: [Image of a board displaying a tally of votes] After hours of debate the Argentine senate finally voted in favour of same-sex marriage. [Cut to people standing outdoors at night, wearing coats and many in brightly coloured clothing, with banners and Pride flags] Outside in the cold celebrated, waving banners and cheering [some of the people jump up and down and cheer and some hug each other]. The issue had divided Argentina between left and right, conservative and liberal. It triggered strong opposition from many religious leaders, including the head of the capital church in Argentina, who said the bill would destroy the family unit. [Cut to a close-up to two of people, both women, holding each other and kissing. Cut to close-ups of several other couples hugging.] On the eave of the debate, tens of thousands of their supporters had gathered in front of Congress to protest against the bill [Back to the image of all the same-sex marriage supporters cheering, with banners and Pride flags]. It also pitted the president, Cristina Fernadez who supports the the bill, against the capital church. The new law changes the description of marriage in the Civil Code from "between a man and a woman" to "between partners". It also gives homosexuals the same rights as heterosexuals to inheritance, social benefits, and adoption.

--IP