Argentina Blocks Gay Marriage
In another blow for gay marriage activists, an Argentine judge put a hold Monday on a lower court's decision to permit the first gay marriage in Latin America.
The official court Web site said national judge Marta Gomez Alsina ordered the wedding blocked until the issue can be considered by the Supreme Court.
Jose Maria Di Bello and his partner, Alex Freyre, set plans to wed Tuesday based on an earlier ruling by a city judge in Buenos Aires. They will probably attempt to proceed with the ceremony, but it will have no legal standing.
"They are shocked and saddened by the news, but still have hopes that the wedding will go forth as planned," said Maria Rachid, president of the Argentine Federation for Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Transsexuals who coordinated the team of laywers that filed the couple's suit.
Two weeks ago, a city judge, acting with the blessing of Buenos Aires' mayor, ruled the couple had been unconstitutionally denied a marriage license and gave them permission to wed.
"We have a huge responsibility on our shoulders," Freyre told the AP in discussing the implications of the couple's effort. "People are suffering because of these limitations."
In 2002, Buenos Aires became the first Spanish-speaking city to allow same-sex civil unions. As critics had warned, it was only the first step to a slippery slope the quickly led to demands for full fledge gay marriages.
Argentina's national legislature opened debate last month on a bill that would change a civil code provision defining marriage as a union between a man and a woman. A new marriage law would mean gay couples could enjoy all the rights of a married couple like the right to adopt children, inherit wealth or share a health care plan.
The couple, who met at an HIV awareness rally, wanted to marry on Dec. 1 because it is World AIDS day. See Chick's SIN CITY,
The official court Web site said national judge Marta Gomez Alsina ordered the wedding blocked until the issue can be considered by the Supreme Court.
Jose Maria Di Bello and his partner, Alex Freyre, set plans to wed Tuesday based on an earlier ruling by a city judge in Buenos Aires. They will probably attempt to proceed with the ceremony, but it will have no legal standing.
"They are shocked and saddened by the news, but still have hopes that the wedding will go forth as planned," said Maria Rachid, president of the Argentine Federation for Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Transsexuals who coordinated the team of laywers that filed the couple's suit.
Two weeks ago, a city judge, acting with the blessing of Buenos Aires' mayor, ruled the couple had been unconstitutionally denied a marriage license and gave them permission to wed.
"We have a huge responsibility on our shoulders," Freyre told the AP in discussing the implications of the couple's effort. "People are suffering because of these limitations."
In 2002, Buenos Aires became the first Spanish-speaking city to allow same-sex civil unions. As critics had warned, it was only the first step to a slippery slope the quickly led to demands for full fledge gay marriages.
Argentina's national legislature opened debate last month on a bill that would change a civil code provision defining marriage as a union between a man and a woman. A new marriage law would mean gay couples could enjoy all the rights of a married couple like the right to adopt children, inherit wealth or share a health care plan.
The couple, who met at an HIV awareness rally, wanted to marry on Dec. 1 because it is World AIDS day. See Chick's SIN CITY,
posted by chickcomics | 8:22 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home