Words: Jamie Tabberer; picture: Pexels
Chile has voted to legalise same-sex marriage, in what supporters have called a “historic day” for equality.
The new law in the South American country also includes adoption rights for married same-sex couples.
Passed yesterday (7 December 2022), it was voted for by overwhelming majorities in both chambers.
Sebastián Piñera, President of Chile and long-time opponent of marriage equality, came out in favour of the change in June this year.
“One more step forward in terms of justice”
“Today is a historic day, our country has approved same-sex marriage, one more step forward in terms of justice, in terms of equality, recognizing that love is love,” Minister of Social Development Karla Rubilar is reported by Reuters as saying said after the vote.
José Antonio Kast, a far-right frontrunner in the country’s presidential race on 19 December, responded to the news by saying (as per NYT): “We respect democracy, but that doesn’t mean we change our convictions. For us, marriage is between a man and a woman.”
Marriage equality activist César Peralta is quoted by the publication as saying: “I am so moved and so happy that our country, our people, our community, will now have a little more dignity. I am so happy to have been a part of all this.”
Chile becomes the 31th country to offer same-sex marriage. The last country to achieve marriage equality was Costa Rica in 2020.
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