www.ambiente.us JANUARY / ENERO 2008
Uruguay First Latin American Country To Legalize Civil Unions
by 365Gay.com
(Montevideo) The lower house in Uruguay's Congress passed legislation Thursday allowing same and
opposite-sex couples to form civil unions.
A similar bill has already passed the Senate. The two measures need to be harmonized into a single bill
and receive a final vote - something considered only a formality.
The measure is expected to become law next month.
The measure was a campaign promise of the ruling leftist coalition.
Same-sex marriage will remain illegal in Uruguay, something LGBT rights groups say they will continue to
fight. But, they say the civil union bill is a major step in the right direction in a region where the Catholic
Church dominates much of everyday life.
Under the legislation couples would have be together for at least five years and sign a registry. They would
then receive pension, inheritance and parenting rights.
In neighboring Brazil, Rio Grande do Sul state which lies along the border, passed civil union legislation in
2004, two years after Buenos Aires passed a similar law. Civil unions also are legal in Mexico City and
Coahuila state.
But this would make Uruguay the first country in Latin America to have a national civil union law.
Copyright © AMBIENTE MAGAZINE. Do not reproduce without citing this source.
Uruguay First Latin American Country To Legalize Civil Unions
by 365Gay.com
(Montevideo) The lower house in Uruguay's Congress passed legislation Thursday allowing same and
opposite-sex couples to form civil unions.
A similar bill has already passed the Senate. The two measures need to be harmonized into a single bill
and receive a final vote - something considered only a formality.
The measure is expected to become law next month.
The measure was a campaign promise of the ruling leftist coalition.
Same-sex marriage will remain illegal in Uruguay, something LGBT rights groups say they will continue to
fight. But, they say the civil union bill is a major step in the right direction in a region where the Catholic
Church dominates much of everyday life.
Under the legislation couples would have be together for at least five years and sign a registry. They would
then receive pension, inheritance and parenting rights.
In neighboring Brazil, Rio Grande do Sul state which lies along the border, passed civil union legislation in
2004, two years after Buenos Aires passed a similar law. Civil unions also are legal in Mexico City and
Coahuila state.
But this would make Uruguay the first country in Latin America to have a national civil union law.
Copyright © AMBIENTE MAGAZINE. Do not reproduce without citing this source.
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