Uruguayan lawmakers debate gay marriage legalization

PanARMENIAN.Net - Uruguayan lawmakers are debating a proposal to legalize gay marriage, The Associated Press reports.

The bill was approved by the lower house of Congress in December, and the Senate is debating it Tuesday, April 2. The country's ruling coalition has enough votes for its passage.

The proposal would make Uruguay the second nation in Latin America and the 12th in the world to legalize gay marriage. Argentina legalized same-sex marriage in 2010.

The bill also lets couples, gay or straight, decide whose surname goes first when they name their children.

President Jose Mujica said earlier this year he planned to sign the bill into law. If it is approved by the Senate, the bill must be sent back to the lower house after lawmakers made changes to it.

Uruguay became the first Latin American country to legalize abortion last year.