Uruguay’s senate votes in favor of same-sex marriage

April 04, 2013

Less than a year after Uruguay legalized abortion, the country is poised to become the second Latin American nation to legalize same-sex marriage.

By a 23-8 vote, Uruguay’s senate has approved same-sex marriage. The nation’s lower house, which approved a different same-sex marriage bill, is expected to vote in favor of the senate version, and President José Mujica, an atheist and former guerrilla leader who was elected in 2010, has said he will sign it.

Uruguay is “a very liberal country by Latin American standards,” said Joseph Meaney of Human Life International, who said that the nation’s bishops have spoken out “very strongly” against the measure. Uruguay has already legalized civil unions, as well as adoption by homosexual couples.

The nation of 3.3 million is 75% Catholic, according to Vatican statistics.

 

---

For all current news, visit our News home page.

---

 
Further information:

• Uruguay senate votes to legalize same-sex marriage (Vatican Radio)
• Uruguay's senate approves same-sex marriage bill (CNN)