A gay marriage in Argentina highlights the first gay or same-sex marriage in Latin America. The Argentine gay marriage was between gay rights activists Jose Maria Di Bello and Alex Freyre. 
The gay couple was married in Ushuaia, the capital of Argentina’s Tierra del Fuego state.
Gay marriage in Argentina - a first for Latin America.
The gay marriage between the two gay activists featured an exchange of rings exchanging rings at an informal ceremony in front of state and federal officials. Di Bello stated about his gay marriage to Freyre:
“My knees didn’t stop shaking. We are the first gay couple in Latin America to marry.”
The gay couple had previously attempted gay marriage in Buenos Aires but were turned down by city officials citing conflicting judicial rulings. This happened because the Constitution of Argentina does not state specifically whether marriage must be between a man and a woman, thus leaving the decision regarding gay marriages to the interpretation of state and city officials.
Tierra del Fuego Gov. Fabiana Rios seems fully supportive of the gay marriage, stating:
“[Gay marriage] is an important advance in human rights and social inclusion and we are very happy that this has happened in our state.”
Even Claudio Morgado, an official representing the federal government’s antidiscrimination agency, attended the gay wedding. He even called the gay marriage “historic.” However, many Argentines, people throughout Latin America, and especially the Catholic Church still oppose gay marriage. Bishop Juan Carlos stated about the gay marriage:
“The decision took me by surprise and I’m concerned. [Gay marriage] is an attack against the survival of the human species.”
Same-sex civil unions and gay marriages have been legalized in places like Mexico City, Uruguay, and Buenos Aires. These gay marriages entail more exclusive rights such as adopting children, inheriting wealth, and enabling a partner to gain citizenship.
