Although several cities in Latin America already have gay civil union laws on the books, Uruguay is the first to recognise same-sex civil unions countrywide.
Located on the southeastern coast of South America, Uruguay has a population of 3.4 million of which 62% is Roman Catholic.
Under the new law, gay and straight couples will be eligible to form civil unions after living together for five years. They will have rights similar to those granted to married couples on such matters as inheritance, pensions and child custody.
Couples must register their relationship with authorities and will be able to formalise the end of a union.
The Catholic Church has expressed its opposition to gay marriage and calls upon Catholic politicians to oppose it.
In 2003, the Argentinean capital of Buenos Aires became the first Latin American city to legalise same-sex unions but without adoption and inheritance rights. Since then, Mexico City, the northeastern Mexican state of Coahuila in Mexico and the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul have approved same-sex unions.
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Reader's Comments
Hope that more of such good news could be heard in Asia and Africa, especially in the middle east and far east. Pray hard, you left wingers.
As for the religious right wingers, it has always been like that. Not surprised.
Think 5 years do make sense else the highest divorce rates will be gay unions ... possibly reaching 99.999999999%.
I am 45, and I only know of 1 gay couple who have been together for more than 30 years, with the rest less than 3 years .......
Facts are painfull.
This implies that there could be straight couples who prefers to form civil unions rather than marriage.
You have a point. But I am wondering why the article talkes about even straight couples need to cohabit for 5 years before registering for marriage? Does the article mean all straight couples?
Even after the gay couple has lived for 5 years, why can't they be registered for marriage, but rather a civil union? In either case, the right wingers will protest anyway. Thus, why not make it 'marriage'?
Make it clear cut: either be celibate or married. No such thing as cohabit, domestic partnership, civic union relationship, private partnership, trial an error relationship or...that is confusing..
Gay couples can talk about taking care of their children ... their education .... their future .... when they adopt children. Next, not all gay feelings are governed by the head between the legs or puppy love. This is a sterotype. Also, please do not ignore the existence of lesbian or transgendered couples.
Divorce rates are high among the hetrosexuals too. Afterall, it is the willful decision to stay in marriage or not, even if you have lost the feelings for the guy you married.
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