Uruguay Likely To Enact Marriage Equality Soon

Uruguay is the country next door to Argentina (which became the first country in South America to legalize marriage equality back in July 2010). It is in the news this week because it is likely to become the next country in South America to enact marriage equality, since its lower House of Deputies overwhelmingly voted 81-18 in favor of a bill to do so, and the upper House is expected to be more supportive of the pending legislation, as is the president of the country.

The AP reports:

Uruguay became the first Latin American country to legalize abortion this year, and its Congress is debating a plan to put the government in charge of marijuana sales as a way to attack illegal marijuana traffickers.

The new proposal would make Uruguay the second nation in Latin America and the 12th in the world to legalize gay marriage, after The Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Canada, South Africa, Norway, Sweden, Portugal, Iceland, Argentina and Denmark.

 The bill also would clarify rules for adoption and in-vitro fertilization, and eliminate the words "marido y mujer" (husband and woman) in marriage contracts, refering instead to the gender neutral "contrayentes" (contracting parties).

 The Roman Catholic Church is opposed to the proposal, but the church has little political influence in secular Uruguay.

Love that last part about Uruguay being a secular country! I have visited the country once before (the capital Montevideo, in 2006 when I visited Argentina) and it seemed very lovely then. I may have to make a return trip there when we eventually get to neighboring Brazil!

Hat/tip to Joe.My.God.