More rights granted to Argentine gays

Little by little, gays are earning more rights in the Americas in areas like marriage, health benefits, and even for prisoners. Despite a few setbacks, homosexuals throughout the region have gradually gained more freedoms afforded to heterosexual people. Such was the case in Argentina:

Starting on Wednesday, Argentine same-sex couples will have the right to obtain pensions based on age…

In a press conference, (Social Security director Amado) Boudou explained that “the president ordered a resolution to be carried which would recognize the right to old-age pinions to same-sex couples…without the need to go to the courts.” [Ed. personal translation]

The genesis of the government’s decision cam on the heels of a Supreme Court verdict in favor of a gay man seeking his lover’s pension. 81-year-old Alfredo Pascale lived for 47 years with José Castro and had tried several times to claim Castro’s pension since his death in 1996.

The next step for Argentine gays may be the legalization of homosexual civil unions, a measure that has been backed by most countrymen in a recent poll.

Image- Univision.com

Sources (English)- The Latin Americanist

Sources (Spanish)-Milenio, SentidoG.com, Quilmes Presente