related news
Chile became the eighth country in Latin America to legalize equal marriage after ratification on Tuesday A historic bill after four years of debate, Which allows the union between the same sex, One of the biggest wishes of the domestic LGTBI community.
On an unprecedented day of horizontal celebration, Congress approved a bill It has been discussed for more than four years And once promulgated, it will allow two people of the same sex to marry.
Chile follows Costa Rica or Ecuador and other Latin American countries that recently approved this decision, as well as Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Uruguay, and several other countries that have been considering this right for Mexico for many years.
“This is a historic and revolutionary step. Change the history of the country and end the systematic abuse of certain types of families“Ramón Gómez, head of human rights for the Homosexual Integration and Liberation Movement (Movilh), exclaimed that this is an iconic organization that has been fighting for this right for many years.
In the afternoon, hundreds of people gathered in a festive atmosphere in the center of Plaza Italia in San Diego To celebrate this law, This also recognizes the right of homosexuals to “submit”, that is, the possibility of jointly acknowledging children.
“Today we can End years of homophobia and transphobia We are here to celebrate love,” Matías Ovalle, a young man who went out to celebrate, told Effie.
Lateral support
The proposal was widely supported by both houses: The House of Representatives passed with 82 votes in favor, 20 votes against, and 2 abstentions; and a few hours ago, the House of Lords, supported by 21 senators, with 8 votes against and 3 abstentions. Passed.
Among the opposition, the support is resounding, with a majority in the ruling party (center-right), partly because of the project’s promotion of the current president. Right-wing Sebastián Piñera will be supported And urged it to discuss in July last year.
“How nice to see How can Chilean citizens be more free. In order to be free to marry anyone you want, no one will impose on you what love or family should be like, “Celebrate left-wing deputy Gonzalo Winter, Frente Amplio (FA).
Right-wing Senator Rodrigo Galilea (National Revival) ruled that stopping the judgment of marriages between same-sex couples as “bad or suspicious” is a “fundamental cultural change” that the country must make.
Despite recent progress in social rights, Chile is still considered one of the most conservative countries in the region, especially due to its strong Catholic tradition.
Divorce was not legalized until 2004 Since 2017, the right to abortion has only been considered in three specific situations (feet inability to survive, mother’s life in danger, or rape).
“Today is a joyous day for Chile. We are making progress in recognizing everyone and embracing diversity,” said government spokesperson Jaime Bellolio.
At night, as a memorial, the exterior wall of the Palacio de la Moneda (Palacio de la Moneda), the administrative headquarters, is illuminated by colorful flags.
Four years of ups and downs
Thanks to the promotion of former Socialist President Michelle Bachelet (2014-2018), the equal marriage initiative was launched in 2017 and has been stagnant for nearly four years.
Surprisingly, Piñera said this year It’s time to approve it, However, this news is like a pot of cold water in the most conservative right-wing departments, and in recent months they have managed to extend their discussions to the maximum.
The social rights platform has been facilitating its processing and has worked hard to include the following Eliminate homosexuality as a ground for improper divorce, Recognize trade unions established abroad or define the order of children’s surnames.
Isabel Amor, the head of Fundación Iguales, another most important LTGBI platform, celebrated the project, adding that it was fighting the violence suffered by people in the sexual and gender diversity collective” Symbol”.
Until now and since 2015, homosexuals They can only be united under the legal figure of the Civil Association Agreement (AUC), It does not recognize the right of “submission”.