The proposed "marriage equality" law would change Uruguay's nearly-century-old civil code and give married gays and lesbians all the rights and responsibilities of heterosexual married couples, including the possibility of adopting children. It was drafted by gay rights activists in the so-called "Black Sheep Collective" and now has the support of lawmakers in the ruling Broad Front coalition, which decided Wednesday to debate the measure next week in the House of Deputies' constitutional commission. "Today's society is much broader than the heterosexual, and the civil code should reflect this: a marriage institution that applies equally to all," Federico Grana, a member of the collective, told The Associated Press on Wednesday. "This goes well beyond homosexuality — it's a law that gives all the same rights and responsibilities."
Labels: LGBT rights, South America, Uruguay
The
historic votes of four states this week in favor of gay marriage — an
apparent sea change in U.S. public opinion — have sparked the hopes of
many Californians who want to turn the tide in the Golden State. But
that doesn’t mean advocates of gay marriage want to see Californians
vote on another ballot measure here. Instead, they’re counting on a
relatively conservative U.S. Supreme Court to make same-sex unions legal
throughout the country.
Thich Nhat Hanh
