Uruguay may soon be the first South American nation to allow adoption by gay and lesbian couples. One chamber of its government approved a bill yesterday:
"Despite opposition from Uruguay's Roman Catholic Church and some of the
political opposition, the 99-seat Chamber or Representatives on
Thursday passed the bill 40-13, with the remaining members absent. It goes next to the Senate, which approved an earlier version of the bill in July but must now vote again on modifications. If it becomes law, Uruguay would be the first country in Latin American to allow adoption by gay and lesbian couples."
AFP reports: "Uruguay, a nation of some 3.5 million people, now moves another step
away from its more conservative neighbors after having already
authorized civil unions for homosexuals last year…The ruling leftist Frente Amplio coalition has a majority in parliament and had been expected to push the measure through. Tabare
Vazquez, the first leftist president in Uruguayan history, already
opened access for homosexuals to military schools in May…The senate was due to vote on the measure before September 15, the
end of a legislative period which was brought forward ahead of
presidential elections in October. Lawmakers said it would be approved before the deadline."
