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| Same-sex marriage bill comes into force in Uruguay | Same-sex marriage bill comes into force in Uruguay |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| Same sex couples will be allowed to apply to marry in Uruguay from Monday, nearly four months after a bill was approved by the country's Congress. | |
| President Jose Mujica signed the legislation in May but it was only due to enter into effect 90 days later. | President Jose Mujica signed the legislation in May but it was only due to enter into effect 90 days later. |
| About half a dozen couples should apply for dates at civil registry offices in the coming days, activists say. | About half a dozen couples should apply for dates at civil registry offices in the coming days, activists say. |
| Following Argentina in 2010, Uruguay became the second South American nation to pass same-sex marriage legislation. | Following Argentina in 2010, Uruguay became the second South American nation to pass same-sex marriage legislation. |
| Across Latin America, the number of countries allowing gay unions or marriages is growing. | Across Latin America, the number of countries allowing gay unions or marriages is growing. |
| In Brazil, the council that oversees the country's judiciary said offices could not deny the issue of civil union documents when gay couples wanted full marriage certificates. | In Brazil, the council that oversees the country's judiciary said offices could not deny the issue of civil union documents when gay couples wanted full marriage certificates. |
| However, the issue still requires a bill to be approved by the Congress. | However, the issue still requires a bill to be approved by the Congress. |
| Mexican states | Mexican states |
| In Colombia, a judge recently ordered a notary to sign a document which - while not being a marriage certificate - in effect gave a same-sex couple the same rights as heterosexual couples. | In Colombia, a judge recently ordered a notary to sign a document which - while not being a marriage certificate - in effect gave a same-sex couple the same rights as heterosexual couples. |
| Last week, Colima became the latest Mexican state to allow civil unions among gay couples. | Last week, Colima became the latest Mexican state to allow civil unions among gay couples. |
| Mexico City and the southern state of Quintana Roo already allow gay marriages, while Coahuila allows same-sex civil unions. | Mexico City and the southern state of Quintana Roo already allow gay marriages, while Coahuila allows same-sex civil unions. |
| In April, Congress in Uruguay approved the bill by more than two-thirds of the lower chamber, despite stark opposition from the Catholic Church. | In April, Congress in Uruguay approved the bill by more than two-thirds of the lower chamber, despite stark opposition from the Catholic Church. |
| The proposal had already been passed by the Senate by 23 votes to 8 a week earlier. | The proposal had already been passed by the Senate by 23 votes to 8 a week earlier. |
| It allows same-sex couples to choose the order of the surnames of the children they adopt. | It allows same-sex couples to choose the order of the surnames of the children they adopt. |
| In recent years, Uruguay has moved to allow same-sex civil unions, adoption by gay couples, and to allow gay members of the armed forces. | In recent years, Uruguay has moved to allow same-sex civil unions, adoption by gay couples, and to allow gay members of the armed forces. |
| Uruguay's neighbour Argentina legalised gay marriage in 2010. | Uruguay's neighbour Argentina legalised gay marriage in 2010. |