First gay couple registers to marry in Uruguay

Two gay men who have been a couple for 14 years have become the first to register to marry in Uruguay, hours after a law came into force allowing same-sex marriages in the country.

Rodrigo Borda, 39, and Sergio Miranda, 45, said it was a day of much joy and emotion, but also of responsibility.

Uruguay is the second South American nation to pass a gay-marriage law.

Mr Borda and Mr Miranda said they would celebrate their wedding in September.

It would be a "very public affair", not only because they wanted to share the moment with "all the world", but also because they wanted "to give an example to those gay couples who may be thinking about getting married but don't dare to", the couple added.

Three years ago, Argentina became the first country in Latin America to allow same-sex marriages.
Reforms

Since then, Brazil's Supreme Court overwhelmingly voted in favor of granting same-sex couples the same legal rights as married heterosexuals.

(source)