Chile’s congress approved same-sex marriage by an overwhelming majority on Tuesday, after four years of inaction. Both houses of Chile's congress voted to approve a marriage equality bill for same-sex couples. First, the bill got the green light from the upper house of congress or senate. Subsequently, it was immediately given the final stamp of approval by the lower Chamber of Deputies with 82 votes to 20.
The bill also includes an authorization for adoptions by
same-sex couples. Reportedly, after the vote in the chamber, several deputies
hugged, including some from opposing parties. The bill also enables same-sex couples
to adopt children. Existing
laws in Chile allow same-sex couples to unite under a Civil Union Pact. The
Pact was approved in 2015 and gave same-sex couples many of the same rights as
married but denied them the right to adopt. The new law will give full parental
rights and adoption rights for married same-sex couples. After introduction of
the new law, the LGBT rights group said in a tweet, "The doors of equality and dignity have opened for the same
sex couples."
Sebastián
Piñera on LGBT community
The new marriage equality bill was supported by the
President of Chile, Sebastián Piñera, who has to sign it into law. Chile's LGBT
(Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender) community has long pushed for the
law, which has been blocked by Congress since 2017. Earlier, President Sebastián Piñera opposed
the legislation for years. However, six months ago, Sebastián Piñera said that
he would change his position on the issue paving the way for Congress to act. "I
think the time has come to guarantee that freedom and that dignity to all
people," Piñera said in an annual speech to Congress on June 1. He further
added, "I think the time has come for marriage equality in our
country."
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