On April 2, 2013 Uruguay took a
huge leap forward towards sexuality equality. The Uruguay Senate voted 23 to 8
in favor of legalizing same-sex marriage. This bill goes beyond giving
homosexual couples the right to marriage however. It also equalizes homosexual and
heterosexual couples by changing the language of marriage to use gender-neutral
words such as “contracting parties” instead of “husband and wife”. This bill
also allows both homosexual and heterosexual couples to decide who’s surname
will go first when they name their child.
This bill
is different than what we usually see in that it is attempting to hold everyone
homosexual, heterosexual, men, and women, under the same rights. I think this
type of law is the most ideal, and accepting to all involved. In the
United States Civil Unions have been proposed, however, this still sends the
message of segregation and hierarchy. One problem that I see with “Civil
Unions” and “contracting parties” is that is sounds more like a government
contract than a couple’s love for one another. This could create backlash with
heterosexual couples because they may want a better sounding title. I think a word
such as “United” instead of “Married” would be the best title that homosexual
and heterosexual couples alike could be held under.
This idea
of holding everyone under the same laws seems so obvious, yet it is still very
rare. Hopefully more countries around the world will jump on this progressive
train to equality for all.
Reference:
Stephanie Symonds
04/06/2013 4:52 PM
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