Argentine judge overturns decision to allow Latin America’s first gay marriage

Argentine judge suspends region’s 1st gay marriage

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — An Argentine judge put a hold Monday on another court’s decision to permit the first gay marriage in Latin America, but supporters of the couple said they would try to go ahead with the ceremony anyway.

The official court Web site said national judge Marta Gomez Alsina ordered the wedding blocked until the issue can be considered by the Supreme Court.

Jose Maria Di Bello and his partner, Alex Freyre, set plans to wed Tuesday based on an earlier ruling by a city judge in Buenos Aires.

“They are shocked and saddened by the news, but still have hopes that the wedding will go forth as planned,” said Maria Rachid, president of the Argentine Federation for Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Transsexuals who coordinated the team of laywers that filed the couple’s suit.

Rachid said the couple had not been officially notified of Monday’s order and would appear at the marriage registry Tuesday.

“If the civil registry where the wedding was to take place refuses to go through with the ceremony, the gay community will organize a protest,” Rachid told The Associated Press.

The court Web site said the civil registry where the wedding was to take place had been notified of the latest ruling.

Two weeks ago, a city judge, acting with the blessing of Buenos Aires’ mayor, ruled the couple had been unconstitutionally denied a marriage license and gave them permission to wed.

“We have a huge responsibility on our shoulders,” Freyre told the AP in discussing the implications of the couple’s effort. “People are suffering because of these limitations.”

In 2002, Buenos Aires became the first Spanish-speaking city to allow same-sex civil unions.

Argentina’s national legislature opened debate last month on a bill that would change a civil code provision defining marriage as a union between a man and a woman. A new marriage law would mean gay couples could enjoy all the rights of a married couple like the right to adopt children, inherit wealth or share a health care plan.

“Our families need to have these rights, especially people like us who live with HIV and need a shared health care plan,” Freyre said.

The couple, who met at an HIV awareness rally, wanted to marry on Dec. 1 because it is World AIDS day.