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Brus Leguás Contreras |
Affirmation Members in Latin America Celebrate Argentina’s New Law
"Our Argentine
sisters and brothers can now walk the way of peace as full citizens with
equal rights"
Compiled by Hugo Salinas
We were ecstatic to hear that Argentina has just become the first Latin
American country to enact marriage equality—despite the adamant opposition
of high-ranking leaders of the LDS Church. The following cheerful messages
have been sent to us by Affirmation leaders from across Latin America:
Brus Leguás Contreras, Chile:
Last night many of us followed the debate held in the Argentine Senate. We
suffered every time the votes seemed to go against us, and we became
excited every time the votes shifted in favor of the new law. The final
result came in at about 4:00 am on Thursday. We were overcome with emotion:
we hugged, we cried, and we cheered for this far-reaching triumph of the
LGBT community in Argentina. We felt their triumph was our own.
Paraphrasing the Gospel of Luke, we would say that yesterday Argentina
stood “to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of
death, to guide our feet into the way of peace” (Luke 1:79). Our Argentine
sisters and brothers will no longer suffer the darkness and shadow of
discrimination. They can now walk the way of peace as full citizens with
equal rights.
We are grateful to all those who made this possible; we congratulate all
those who had a part in this struggle for civil rights.
In Chile and in other nations, the struggle goes on. We continue to work
for equality. What happened in Argentina has given us new hope.
Marcela, Brazil:
I am so happy for the LGBT people of Argentina. I sincerely hope Brazil
will do the same.
Lucinaldo, Brazil:
The decision to legalize the union of gay couples in Argentina represents
an opening for other countries in South America as well. We hope Brazil
will soon follow the example of Argentina and other countries in
recognizing equal rights.
Hugs,
Lucinaldo
Carlos Peralta, Mexico:
In Mexico we have received with gladness the news about same-sex marriage
being approved in Argentina. Razú Aznar, a Mexican lawmaker who advocates
for marriage equality, stated that “wile Mexico opened a back door to
equality last December, last Thursday Argentina opened the main gate and
gave a master lesson in human rights to all of Latin America.”
From Mexico City, we congratulate Argentina for this achievement, and we
are sure their example will have a positive influence in our region.
This is worth dancing a tango.
Viva Argentina!
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© 2012 Affirmation: Gay and Lesbian Mormons
www.affirmation.org
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