A bit of homo history was made yesterday in Uruguay.

Judge Estrella Perez presided over Latin America's first gay wedding!

Perez officiated the civil union between Adrian Figuera, 38, and actor and theater director Juan Carlos Moretti, 67, in a courtroom before a small group of friends and family, as witnessed by an AFP reporter.

Moretti later told AFP that after living together for 14 years, he and Figuera thought their marriage was "a matter of justice and a step forward for Uruguayan society."

The event comes four months after Uruguay's government pushed through new legislation allowing 5-year strong, cohabitating couples the same rights as straight folk.

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• South African queers fear new African National Congress leader, Jacob Zuma. The former deputy president once slept with an HIV positive woman and said a post-coital shower prevented infection…

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You are gay, indeed! Uruguay's government came closer to legalizing civil unions.

Uruguay will legalize civil unions for homosexuals and heterosexuals next month, making it the first Latin American nation to treat gay and straight couples alike, a lawmaker said.

Deputies passed legislation allowing gay and straight couples to form civil unions after living together for at least five years.
…
"This recognition of the legal status of couples…recognizes the legal status of homosexual couples, which gives it a completely new dimension," said Edgardo Ortuno, a member of the center-left ruling party.

Before it can be applied, senators must consider the law again because some revisions were made to the document. Ortuno said he expects it to take effect by mid-December.

The measure will grant unionized couples the same inheritance, social security and parenting rights afforded married couples.