The United States and Argentina may be tied in some respects, but the South American nation might leapfrog us where it counts: marriage equality. After a Buenos Aires court sided with a gay couple and ruled illegal the city’s opposite-sex-only marriage laws, Mayor Mauricio Macri says he’ll leave the decision alone (and approves of the ruling), effectively upgrading existing civil union laws there to full-blown marriage.
Sounds like Connecticut. Or Iowa!
But Brazil’s federal lawmakers are racing past Americans en route to nationwide recognition.
While the Respect for Marriage Act lingers on The Hill — and, if passed, would only repeal DOMA, but not create federal gay marriage — Argentina’s Congress is working on bills that would nix the phrase “man and woman” in favor of gender-neutral “spouses.” Lawmakers, meanwhile, have the backing of voters: An estimated 70 percent of Argentinians favor same-sex marriage.
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[Ed: Well that was embarrassing. We wrote “Brazil” instead of “Argentina.” A stupid mistake, which we regret.]
Lauren
You know Argentina and Brazil are two separate countries right? What does 70 percent of ARGENTENIAN voters opinion have to do with a law in Brazil?
jj Sullivan
The Argentine case applies only to the city of Buenos Aires. But great progress none the less!
Soon everyone in the world will have health insurance and marriage equality except us!
Lucky Luke
Wow.. that was messy. Good news for Brazil or Argentina? LOL
And here in Brazil, I remember very well a speech from a federal deputy or senator saying that those who were voting in favor of same-sex civil union would be doing that for their own benefit. How lovely!
There is a big protestant group of senator/deputies, and they make gay-firendly laws very hard to pass. And abortion, stem cells laws and things that those fuckers don’t like (not only then, of course).
And I thought we were a secular country, so religion shouldn’t be a part of the law making process.
Keith Kimmel
I love Argentina.
Its been a couple of years since I have been out there, I need to go back. Maybe next time I go I’ll renounce my citizenship on the way out the door.
Brian Van Vloren
More and more I want to leave the US and/or NJ and become a citizen of the World.
Xak
This doesn’t surprise me. I’ve been living in Germany since April and married my partner in July. In doing so, I was granted immigration rights and can now legally live and work in Germany. I also have health insurance through my partner and recently found out that I might even be eligible for unemployment benefits until I get a job here.
It’s been tough learning the language, but it just seemed that my moving to Germany to be with my partner of 3 years not only was the best option, but for now it’s the only option for us to be together.
Jeff
BUENOS AIRES IS IN ARGENTINA, NOT BRAZIL.
NoDoubleStandards
You do need to clean up the article, but this is great news!
Drake
The US federal government may legally repeal DOMA, and then by legislation or executive branch policy decide to honor all marriages from any any place it was legally performed. However, under the US Constitution, marriage is an issue left to the states to legislate on, and it would be unconstitutional for there to be a “federal marriage:”
Bruno
I guess Brazil and/or Argentina…great! One or both of those.
(I’d be shocked if either of them passes national marriage equality anytime soon)
Patrick
First of all, as said before, Brazil and Argentina are two different countries, with very distinctive cultures. I’d be like saying that a poll taken in Mexico City applies to the US. That said…
Brazil is in its depth a very prejudicial country. Do not let yourself be fooled by the mainstream façade Gay Parades. They are seen in Brazil just as another excuse for people to go out and party. No matter if gay or straight. Or their political views.
Brazil is far from really approving gay marriage or even a single law against gay discrimination. Religious groups deeply infiltrated in politics mixed with the major uneducated population still promotes hate (and always unsolved) crimes against gays in Brazil.
Some numbers and fats here: http://bit.ly/1tdqtq
Try checking your sources a little deeper next time.
Ian da Silva
I know it’s been pointed out, but you really ought to edit this to make clear that Brazil and Argentina are, in fact, two separate countries.
edgyguy1426
Looks like it is Argentina according to the Advocate (where I had to turn to get the facts about this.) Not that I don’t love me some Queerty but after 24 hours and a lot of schooling you’d think they’d either pull it or correct it. Guess it wasn’t important….
Joetx
@ Drake – Where in the U.S. Constitution does it state that marriage is a states’ issue??? The Constitution does NOT mention marriage anywhere.
hephaestion
Queerty, PLEASE re-write this blog entry so that it makes sense. Is this about Argentina or Brazil??
Buenos Aires is in Argentina. Sao Paulo is in Brazil.
hephaestion
Is Queerty aware they are using a photo of a BRAZILIAN flag to link to this article which is apparently about Argentina?
Does Queerty hire 7 year olds to write these blog entries? My 6 year old niece could do a better job.
James
@Joetx: Exactly, and all rights not named in the Constitution are thus given to the individual states.
Gabriel
@Bruno (“(I’d be shocked if either of them passes national marriage equality anytime soon)”): Shocked in 2010? Sooner than you thought, huh?