This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-23571197

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Same-sex marriage bill comes into force in Uruguay Same-sex marriage bill comes into force in Uruguay
(about 9 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. Two gay men who have been a couple for 14 years have become the first to register to marry in Uruguay, hours after a law came into force allowing same-sex marriages in the country.
President Jose Mujica signed the legislation in May but it was only due to enter into effect 90 days later. Rodrigo Borda, 39, and Sergio Miranda, 45, said it was a day of much joy and emotion, but also of responsibility.
About half a dozen couples should apply for dates at civil registry offices in the coming days, activists say. President Jose Mujica signed the legislation in May, but it took 90 days to come into effect.
Following Argentina in 2010, Uruguay became the second South American nation to pass same-sex marriage legislation. Uruguay is the second South American nation to pass a gay-marriage law.
Across Latin America, the number of countries allowing gay unions or marriages is growing. Mr Borda and Mr Miranda said they would celebrate their wedding in September.
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. It would be a "very public affair", not only because they wanted to share the moment with "all the world", but also because they wanted "to give an example to those gay couples who may be thinking about getting married but don't dare to", the couple added.
However, the issue still requires a bill to be approved by the Congress. Three years ago, Argentina became the first country in Latin America to allow same-sex marriages.
Mexican states Reforms
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. Since then, Brazil's Supreme Court overwhelmingly voted in favour of granting same-sex couples the same legal rights as married heterosexuals, effectively authorising gay marriage.
Last week, Colima became the latest Mexican state to allow civil unions among gay couples. In Colombia, a judge recently ordered a notary to sign a document which - while not a marriage certificate - in effect gave a same-sex couple the same rights as a heterosexual one.
Mexico City and the southern state of Quintana Roo already allow gay marriages, while Coahuila allows same-sex civil unions. In Mexico, legislation on same-sex unions is a matter for individual states. Gay marriage is legal in the capital and the southern state of Quintana Roo, while the states of Coahuila and Colima allow gay couples to enter into civil unions. Gay marriage remains illegal in the rest of the country.
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 gay-marriage bill is among a series of liberal reforms in Uruguay backed by President Mujica.
The proposal had already been passed by the Senate by 23 votes to 8 a week earlier. Since the left-wing politician came to power, parliament has also passed a law allowing abortion beyond cases of rape, incest or threats to a woman's health.
It allows same-sex couples to choose the order of the surnames of the children they adopt. Last week, the House of Representatives voted in favour of a bill which, if passed by the Senate, will legalise marijuana and put its production and sale into the hands of the state.
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.