The First Latin American Country to Legalize Gay Adoption

by Michael Jones · 2009-09-10 03:15:00 UTC
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UruguayUruguay took a bold step forward for LGBT rights, by becoming the first Latin American country to legalize adoption by gay and lesbian parents.  The country also took a bold stand against the Catholic Church, which fought hard to prevent gays and lesbians from receiving parenting rights.

Seventeen Uruguayan Senators voted for the bill legalizing adoption for gays and lesbians, which earlier passed a lower House in Uruguay's legislature.  The bill is expected to be signed into law by Uruguay's President, Tabare Vazquez.

One of the best reasons for passing this bill came from ruling party Sen. Margarita Percovich.  "Whether the couple is gay or not should not be a matter of consideration," said Percovich.  "What matters is if the family is able to educate and stimulate the child to grow as a fulfilled human being."

Damn, if only she could run for office in Arkansas (which in 2008 banned adoption by gay and lesbian people).

The Catholic Church in Uruguay, not missing a beat to say something homophobic, said that gay adoption contradicts human nature.  The Archbishop of Montevideo expressed sadness that the bill passed.

But while the Catholic Church expresses sadness, kids up for adoption can take comfort in the fact that even more qualified parents are now legally able to raise children in Uruguay.

Michael Jones is a Change.org Editor. He has worked in the field of human rights communications for a decade, most recently for Harvard Law School.
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