Argentina, pictured here in the form of model Ramiro Fumazoni, has long led Latin America in terms of gay rights.

Buenos Aires became the first city in the region to legalize civil unions back in 2002. Four other cities have since followed suit. And now the government has announced even more sweeping reforms:

Argentina on Monday announced its first nationwide gay-rights measure: granting same-sex couples the right to claim their deceased partners' pensions.

Couples must prove they have been living together for at least five years to receive the benefit, Amado Boudo, executive director of the national social security administration, told local television reporters.

The government's national decree will "put the rights of all cohabitants on a level playing field," Boudo said.

Speaking of playing fields - how about that Fumazoni?

Holy moly! Argentinian Bishop Ruben Oscar Frassia agrees with the NJ commission on civil unions - but for entirely different.

In Frassia's eyes, the growing acceptance of unions and similar same-sex arrangements signal - shocker! - the decline of civilization.

While Frassia's perspective isn't new, nor is it particularly rational, we're a bit charmed by the man's obvious confusion: "What do you want me to say? I really don’t understand it, I don’t understand." Awww.

The charm rapidly wears off, however:

We must be very clear. If we sow wind, we will reap storms. If we take God out of our families, our society, our laws, our personal things or out of nature itself, let’s not be surprised at the damage that we ourselves might provoke.

Sow wind? Now that's a euphemism!

We had no idea activism could be so glamorous!

Rather than endorsing Argentina's lackluster civil union laws, activist duo Cesar Cigliutti and Marcelo Suntheim hopped a plane to gay marrying Spain.

"We came to Spain because there is a marriage law here that allows the union of homosexuals and in Argentina there isn't," Cigliutti, president of the Argentine Homosexual Community, told The Associated Press from Madrid.

The newlyweds celebrated with friends Monday before a honeymoon in Egypt.

Okay, so from a really gay friendly to one that's not so keen on the queens… Doesn't that sort of defeat the purpose?

It's good to be gay in Argentina, where Juan Julia Blanch just opened his second gay hotel: The Axel Hotel. Named after Blanch's ex-boyfriend, the estimated 6 million, five-storey structure seems poised to be just as gay as its Barcelona-based big brother:

The receptionists are slender young men in sleek suits, the brochure features chiseled male torsos, the rooms are soundproofed and stocked with condoms and every now and then Judy Garland croons in the bar: welcome to Latin America's first luxury gay hotel.
…
No details have been spared: futuristic furniture by Charles and Ray Eames, Mies van der Rohe and Eileen Gray, a garden pool lined with transparent shower cubicles, a spa pool suspended over the lobby as a transparent roof, and deck chairs positioned in front of gym equipment. If you like to watch men stretching, bending, straining, sweating, soaping and swimming you are in the right place.

Damn! This isn't a hotel, this is heaven!

Host country Argentina took home the top prize in the gay world cup this weekend.

The two teams were among 28 squads from Europe, the Americas and Australia that participated in the 10th gay football world championship aimed at highlighting the fight against homophobia and discrimination.

With their victory, Los Dogos, named after an Argentine dog breed, automatically qualified for the 2008 tournament hosted by London.

"The people supported us and I hope it's always like this," said Dogos coach Nestor Gammella, 51, after the final held at the Defensores de Belgrano stadium. "We beat the world champions and we are happy."

The final score: 1-0.

A 17-year old boy made history in Argentina. After a lengthy court battle, the boy, Natalie, won the right to change his gender. It's the first time in Argentine history a minor has been given a sex change.

Of the landmark case, gay activist Cesar Cigliutti said:

What's important and unusual about this case is that Natalie is a minor - she is not yet 18 years old - and this has become an emblematic case for people who have a gender identity different to their biological one.

To ensure a smooth transition, the judge ruled that Natalie must see a shrink post-op.

If you're down for taking a trip, we suggest you heard to Buenos Aires this weekend:

Latin America will host the gay football world cup for the first time in the tournament's 16-year history when the event kicks off this weekend in Buenos Aires. Twenty-eight teams, many representing cities in Europe, the United States, Australia and Latin America, as opposed to countries, will play in the International Gay and Lesbian Football Association's (IGLFA) competition.

…"The players approach it with a lot of enthusiasm and strength. We've been preparing for a year and we want to win," said Nestor Gammella, trainer for one of the Argentine teams.

Yeah, yeah, we're sure they're great, but, honestly, we couldn't give a shit. We're just in it for the balls.

While the Argentine's have been welcomed with open arms, Mexican player Andoni Bello says his country men weren't so keen on the queer team: "We've knocked on a lot of doors, many of which did not open. A lot of people just stare and don't support us." Don't worry, we're cheering you on, Bello. Go team!

Vacation seeking homos may want to check out Buenos Aires. Aside from being one of the world's most spectacular, vibrant cities - and housing Eva Perón's grave - the Argentinian town's announced some "friendly" discounts for the gays. Via Gay News Watch:

Buenos Aires this week introduced a special discount card exclusively for use by gay tourists, almost 1 million of whom visit the Argentinian capital annually. The "Friendly Card" is in response to the fact that between 10 to 15 percent of the tourists to Buenos Aires are gay, and can now save between $50 and 200 by using the card at participating restaurants, hotels and other gay-friendly businesses, including emergency medical aid, attorneys' offices and cell phone rental for use during a visit to B.A.

No crying here…