Argentina becomes first Latin American country to legalize gay marriage

Argentina has just become the first Latin American country to legalize gay marriage. The Senate passed a bill on Thursday morning after a lengthy debate, according to the Telam news agency, reports CNN.

The bill, which was endorsed by the President Cristina Kirchner, not only legalizes gay marriage, but also allows the couples to adopt.

The upper house voted 33-27 for the proposal after 14 hours of debate, according to Reuters. The bill had already passed the lower chamber of Congress.

The New York Times reports that 70% of Argentinians support marriage equality.

Recently, Argentina’s highest-ranking Catholic prelate called the gay marriage bill a “machination” of the devil.

Gay marriage became legal in Mexico City in March earlier this year.

Catholic cardinal says gay marriage is the work of the devil

Argentina’s highest-ranking Catholic prelate has warned that the country’s gay marriage bill is a “machination” of the devil, reports Pink News.

Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio has called on priests in Buenos Aires, where he is archbishop, to protest against the bill, which is progressing through Argentina’s parliament.

In a letter to the monasteries of Buenos Aires, he wrote: “Let’s not be naive, we’re not talking about a simple political battle; it is a destructive pretension against the plan of God .. We are not talking about a mere bill, but rather a machination of the Father of Lies that seeks to confuse and deceive the children of God.”

Mexico City passed a law legalised gay marriage recently, but if Argentina’s bill becomes law, it will be the first country in Latin America to legalise the practice. The bill also proposes giving gay couples the right to adopt.

Sao Paulo holds ‘world’s biggest’ gay pride parade

In Brazil, São Paulo held its annual pride parade on Sunday. Organizers of the event claim it was the biggest in the world, with over 3 million participants, reports AFP.

According to the report, 198 gays were killed last year in homophobic attacks in Brazil.

(Photo: AFP)

Bolivian president says eating chicken turns men gay

Bolivian President Evo Morales said Tuesday that men should stay away from chicken if they want to maintain their hair and virility, reports The Associated Press.

Evo Morales told a conference on climate change: “The chicken we eat is loaded with female hormones. So, when men eat it, they tend to deviate from their manhood.”

He added that he only eats non-genetically modified chicken to avoid becoming gay or effeminate.

President Morales’ remarks angered one of Argentina’s gay groups, which questioned his logic.