Uruguay's President Proposes Legalizing Marijuana

Marriage News Watch: April 15, 2013

Uruguay House Votes For Equality

The lower house of Uruguay voted 71 of 92 in favour of marriage equality and the bill is now a presidential signature away from finalization. Great for them, but shame on the "land of the free" being beaten by yet another nation on this issue.

Lowlights & Highlights: December 8, 2012

Rest in peace Dave Brubeck.

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When it comes to marriage equality, the very Catholic and very Christian Latin America is about the last place you wold expect to see progress. However, there was news from three countries that flies in the face that "conventional wisdom.

In Mexico, Mexico City currently has full equality, although other parts of the country do not, and Mexico has no DoMA-type legislation. The Supreme Court ruled that marriages performed in Mexico City must be recognized in other parts of the country. While this does not immediately get rid of existing marriage bans, the Supreme Court has given the country a pathway to marriage equality.

In Colombia, equality legislation passed the first of four votes 10-5 in committee. The next step is Senate debate, though no date has been set for that to begin. The Colombian legislature is up against a court-imposed deadline, June 20, 2013. If the legislature does not act by then, "...couples will automatically gain the right to go to any judge or notary public to formalize their union." (Gay Star News). It is sort of win-win, though like here in the states, conservatives are calling for a referendum.

In Uruguay, the lower legislative chamber is set to vote on marriage equality next week. It is expected to pass there and in the Senate (though the Senate vote will not be for some months).

When it comes to marriage equality, Latin America is kicking the States' ass. While this makes us look bad by comparison, I'm definitely happy for the couples in these countries who are moving closer to being seen as the equals of their hetero-counterparts in the eyes of the law.

Uruguayan Legislature to Vote on Marriage Equality

From The Argentina Independent:

Uruguay has announced that the Chamber of Deputies will vote on the legalization of same sex marriage on 11 December.

Five months ago, the government approved the recognition of same sex marriage legalized in other countries. The law was supported by the Constitution Committee and the Codes of the House including two opposition legislators.

Frente Amplio legislator Julio Bango, a supporter of the law, said the law would pass the Senate in 2013 after the summer recess. He noted the dispute about name order for children of same sex marriages but said that issue would be resolved in the next week.

The law reads, “the institution of marriage will mean the union of two parties, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation thereof at the same terms with the same effects established in the Civil Code”. The law will extend to include homosexuals, lesbians and transsexuals.

Here in the States, there is a tendency to look down on Latin American nations as though we are inherently better than them. However, in terms of recognizing civil liberties, many of these nations are starting to outdo the "land of the free."