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Gay couple marries in Argentina Gay couple marries in Argentina
(about 3 hours later)
Two Argentine men have become the first gay couple in Latin America to marry. Two Argentine men have become the first same-sex couple to marry legally in Latin America.
Alejandro Freyre, 39, and Jose Maria Di Bello, 41, tied the knot in a civil ceremony in the southern city of Ushuaia, in Tierra del Fuego province.Alejandro Freyre, 39, and Jose Maria Di Bello, 41, tied the knot in a civil ceremony in the southern city of Ushuaia, in Tierra del Fuego province.
Gay marriage is illegal in Argentina. However, the Tierra del Fuego governor issued a special decree allowing the couple to wed there.Gay marriage is illegal in Argentina. However, the Tierra del Fuego governor issued a special decree allowing the couple to wed there.
Roman Catholic leaders in the country expressed alarm at the move.
A judge in the capital, Buenos Aires, prevented the couple from marrying there earlier this month.A judge in the capital, Buenos Aires, prevented the couple from marrying there earlier this month.
The men, who are both HIV-positive, had planned to get married on 1 December, world Aids day. Church anger
The men, who are both HIV-positive, had planned to get married on 1 December, World Aids day.
They eventually travelled to Tierra del Fuego, where they received the support of provincial governor Fabiana Rios.They eventually travelled to Tierra del Fuego, where they received the support of provincial governor Fabiana Rios.
Grey area
Although Argentina's civil code bans gay marriage, the constitution is silent on the matter.Although Argentina's civil code bans gay marriage, the constitution is silent on the matter.
Correspondents say the governor exploited this grey area and gave the two men a special dispensation. Correspondents say Ms Rios exploited this grey area and gave the two men a special dispensation.
"We're extremely excited and happy about what this means for all gays and lesbians in Argentina," Mr Di Bello said. She said in a statement that gay marriage was "an important advance in human rights and social inclusion".
An association of Catholic lawyers has questioned the legality of the marriage. After Monday's ceremony Mr di Bello said: "We're extremely excited and happy about what this means for all gays and lesbians in Argentina."
Catholic leaders have argued civil union, which is legal in four Argentine cities, should be sufficient. However Bishop Juan Carlos, of the southern Argentine city of Rio Gallegos, called the marriage "an attack against the survival of the human species".
Other Catholic leaders have argued that civil union, which is legal in four Argentine cities, should be sufficient.
The Supreme Court is expected to rule on gay marriage next year.The Supreme Court is expected to rule on gay marriage next year.