ARGENTINEAN JUDGE SUSPENDS GAY MARRIAGE

An Argentinean judge has suspended an earlier ruling that would have allowed the first same-sex marriage in Latin America to have taken place today.

Last month, a judge in Buenos Aires granted Alex Freyre and Jose Maria Di Bello the right to marry after ruling that the country’s ban on gay marriage was unconstitutional. The men were planning to marry today, on World Aids Day.

Now, another Judge, Marta Gomez Alsina, has suspended the ruling until the issue can be addressed by the country’s Supreme Court.

Maria Rachid, president of the Argentine Federation for Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Transsexuals, told the Associated Press that the men were shocked and disappointed at the sudden turn of events. She added that the couple had not been officially notified of the ruling and would still apply for a marriage license at the marriage registry office today.

“If the civil registry where the wedding was to take place refuses to go through with the ceremony, the gay community will organise a protest,” she said.

No country in Latin America has yet legalised same-sex marriage, although Uruguay and a few regions have approved civil union legislation.