Argentina first to gay marriage
To some, same-sex marriage is considered immoral, while to others it is viewed as a basic, or even God-given, right. Sweden was thus one of the first few countries to designate legally recognized partnership rights to gay couples in the mid s, and also allowed such couples to adopt children as early as However, the major step of legalizing same-sex marriages in the country was taken in , when a large majority of the Swedish Parliament voted in favor of the law.
Still, the Curch of Norway allowed its individual congregations to accept or refuse such requests from same-sex couples. While this case was being processed, major political changes were taking place place in the scenario of same-sex marriages in the country. Regardless of one's stance, it cannot be argued that, for the same-sex couples living in the countries listed below, they must have considered their respective nations' passing through of legislation allowing them to be married, and those marriages to be fully recognized to be nothing short of a personal and national victory.
The country, then headed by a Prime Minister Johanna Sigurdardottir, who openly declared herself to be gay, met little political resistance in passing this law. The Church bore an extremely bitter attitude regarding this decision, and held massive protests across the country to derail the change.
This is despite there being no clear separation of the church from state in this country. Full recognition of rights to same-sex couples, however, was not given until 5 years later. This choice is fueled not just by the fact that same-sex marriages are legalized in the country, but also because the Icelandic society in general is highly progressive, and largely accepts such marriages without any resistance.
Although six out of the seven parties represented in the Parliament voted in favor, the Christian Democrats refused to support the law. [2][3]. Polling indicates that a majority of Argentines support the legal recognition of same-sex marriage. [1] Argentina was the first country in South America and Latin America, the second in the Americas, the second in the Hispanic world, the second in the Southern Hemisphere and the tenth in the world to legalize same-sex marriage.
The law was implemented on the coming New Year, January 1, The Church of Norway was split on this issue of gay marriage legalization in , but, in , the General Synod of the Church of Norway voted in favor of offering services to same sex marriage ceremonies. Like other Scandinavian countries, the Swedish community has always been progressive in its social attitudes, and has openly accepted same-sex couples.
Iceland , a country well known for its liberal attitude towards same sex partners, passed a law on June 27, , that allowed same-sex couples to legally marry. They took the issue to court, claiming they were unjustly discriminated on the basis of their sexual orientation, which was not legal as per the Portuguese constitution.
Argentina became the first country in the region, and the 10th country in the world, to allow same-sex marriage and same-sex adoptions nationwide. A long and taxing national debate preceded the decision, with the Senate finally voting 33 to 27 in favor of the law.
The Lutheran Church of Sweden had agreed to bless gay partnerships since , but were not yet ready to allow gay weddings in their churches. However, the success of the President and her allied advocates in support of same-sex marriages in Argentina reveals the increasing willingness of the country to stand against the rigid measures of the Church.
On November 14, the parliamentarians of the country voted in favor of the Civil Union Bill favoring same-sex marriages, and effectively passing it as a law. In July of , Argentina became the first Latin American country to legalize same-sex marriages, attributing Argentine gay people the same marital rights as the nation's heterosexuals.
This law thus allowed gay partners to marry in civil or religious ceremonies, to adopt children, and to partake in artificial insemination. On December 1, , South Africa became the first country in Africa to legalize same-sex marriages. When the lower courts rejected their motion, they appealed to the Portuguese Constitutional Court in July of The court decided on the basis of a vote that, though the constitution does not legalize same sex marriages, it also does not oppose it.
Finally, on June 5, , same-sex marriages were legalized in Portugal in spite of protests by the Catholic Church of the country. Cachita and Norma were right outside Congress alongside thousands of people, celebrating the passing of the bill and one of the most significant accomplishments of the LGBTQIA+ community in the country.
The complicated case of the couple now had to be handled by the Portuguese Parliament. “The same-sex marriage bill was the spearhead of a legislative agenda that embraces diversity and put Argentina at the forefront of human rights in the region and the world,” Minister of Women, Gender and Diversity.
Argentina passed a bill legalizing same-sex marriage exactly thirteen years ago, July 15, , becoming the second country in the Americas and the tenth worldwide to do so. There is a long story lying behind the legalization of same-sex marriages in Portugal. On June 17, , the Norwegian Parliament, the Storting, approved a law that allowed same sex couples to enjoy the same matrimonial rights as heterosexual couples.
Then in , the Parliament passed another law making adoption by same-sex couples legal. Individual pastors, meanwhile, were given freedom to refuse or allow such weddings in their respective churches. Currently, Iceland is regarded as one of the most gay-friendly countries in the world, with a large number of foreign same-sex couples visiting Iceland to get married there.
Argentina became the first Latin American nation to legalize gay marriage Thursday, granting same-sex couples all the legal rights, responsibilities and protections that marriage brings to heter.