Latin America marks first legal gay marriage

Last Updated: Sat, 13 Mar 2010 12:14:00 +1100

Five same-sex couples were married today in Mexico City after a recent change to the city's laws.

They're the first to have legally recognized same-sex weddings anywhere in Latin America.

As Richard Reynolds reports from Buenos Aires, the move has many opponents.

Mexico City is the only place in the country where same-sex couples can legally marry.

The judge who witnessed four of the five marriages, Hegel Cortes, called it "an historic day".

The Mexican law and the resulting marriages have ignited a storm of protest.

The Catholic Church is staunchly opposed, as is the federal government, including President Felipe Calderon.

The Attorney General has filed an appeal to stop the marriages, but Mexico's federal courts rarely interfere in cases involving lower jurisdictions.

Homosexuality remains anathema through most of Latin America.

While one gay couple was married in Argentina last year, the marriage was quickly struck down by the courts.