Chilean Congress legalizes same-s3x marriage

The Chilean Congress, on Wednesday, voted to approve a bill legalizing same-s3x marriage, clearing the way for it to become law.

The bill was also passed by the Chamber of Deputies, the lower house of Congress, with 82 votes in favor, 20 against, and 2 abstentions, after it had already been approved by Chile’s Senate.

The motion was first presented in 2017 by socialist president Michelle Bachelet, but stalled in Congress until current President Sebastian Piñera voiced his support.

Piñera, a right-wing, conservative politician, said earlier in the year that he supported marriage equality and is now expected to sign the bill into law.

READ ALSO: ‘How Nigerian celebrities flaunt fake wealth,’ says gay activist, Alimi

“I think the time has come for equal marriage in our country,” Piñera had said in June.

“In this way, all people without distinguishing by sexual orientation, will be able to live love and form a family with all the protection and dignity that they need and deserve.”

Chile has legally recognized same-s3x civil unions since 2015 and legalizing same-s3x marriage would provide equal rights to same-sex couples, such as the right to adopt children.

Chile is following in the steps of other Latin American countries like Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Uruguay and parts of Mexico where same s3x marriage is legal.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now