Gay marriage legalized in Argentina

By Beatrice Murch On July 15, 2010 · 37 Comments

Late Wednesday night, the Argentine Senate voted 33-27 (with three senators abstaining) to pass a law allowing Gay Marriage. A crowd gathered before the Congress building in Buenos Aires to rally in support of the law’s passage. To keep the crowd entertained, American/Argentinean musician Kevin Johansen and Argentine artist Liniers performed in concert at Plaza Congreso.

1.

1. A large crowd faces the concert stage set up at Plaza Congreso to listen to Kevin Johansen.

2.

2.Kevin Johansen plays "Daisy" (a song about a transvestite) while Liniers' real-time drawing is projected on the screen in the background.

3.

3.The crowd enthusiastically enjoys the concert in front of Congreso.

4.

4.The Sign-Language interpreter takes a break and warms her hands in her coat pockets.

5.

5.The crowd goes wild as Kevin Johansen cracks a joke.

6.

6. One member of the crowd calls out the Church for un-Christian behavior because of their lack of support for Gay Marriage: "Satan, Satan, take off your vestments".

7.

7. The sound technicians monitor the concert in front of Congreso as the crowd surrounds them and enjoys their hard work.

8.

8.A single stick figure drawing of a same-sex couple in love conveys the message of the night.

9.

9.A sign decorated with balloons reads: "The Same Love - The Same Rights with the Same Name".

10.

10.The "Partido Socialista" shows its support of Gay Marriage. An American Republican's worst nightmare - Gay Socialists!

11.

11.Kevin Johansen and Liniers perform on stage.

12.

12.A sign plastered on the streets of Buenos Aires declares "Love is not a heterosexual privilege" using a cute play on words.

About The Author

Beatrice Murch

Photographer Beatrice Murch is the photo editor of The Argentina Independent. Beatrice moved to Buenos Aires in 2006 and her work has been published in the New York Times, the Wall Street journal and now Matador Network.

More By This Author

Photo essay: Zombie Walk Buenos Aires

view all → Beatrice Murch

http://miller-david.com david miller

Beatrice, incredible photos! We’re down here in Patagonia but stayed up late listening to the Senadores broadcast over the internet. Gracias por compartir este momento con todo el mundo.
http://sixtrees.wordpress.com Karen

Wonderful! It must have been a fantastic night. I loved this, and I love caption on Number 10 haha!

http://www.beatricemurchphotography.com Beatrice

Thanks Karen! It was a wonderful night – I’m glad I was able to document this historic event and that the vote turned out as it did. Some of the debate was insane. ::shakes head::

Franco Metaza

Outstanding pictures. I was there last night until the end and it was amazing. This country is so cool!

Laura

Qué bueno Franco!! Bravo, estoy súper feliz!! ))
http://www.beatricemurchphotography.com Beatrice

Thanks Franco! You are a brave man – I was so bitterly cold!

http://www.beatricemurchphotography.com Beatrice

Gracias David! It was an all-nighter! We went home around 11 or so, but stayed up and the cars started honking down Rivadavia little after 4 am.
http://collazoprojects.com Julie

Beatrice- Thanks for sharing these photos with us.

http://www.beatricemurchphotography.com Beatrice

Thanks Julie! It was a wonderful event.

Jennifer Yonesawa

Great pics, Beatrice. What a wonderful event!

http://www.beatricemurchphotography.com Beatrice

Thank you Jennifer! It was a spectacular joyful night.

http://travelerahoy.wordpress.com Alouise

Love these photos, looks like quite a celebration.

http://www.beatricemurchphotography.com Beatrice

Thanks Alouise. It was quite the party.

Tom Bergin

Beatrice, Fantastic photos. You did a wonderful job documenting this historical moment. I feel the same joy that I see in the faces of the people in your photos. Congratulations B and congratulations Argentina. I hope that Uruguay will follow soon. besote, Tom

http://www.beatricemurchphotography.com Beatrice

Thanks Tom! It was awesome to cover such a moment in history. I am so glad the senate voted the way they did, just wish it hadn’t been such a close vote. I too hope that Uruguay and more countries will follow suit.

http://nancythegnomette.com Nancy Harder

Awesome photos, Beatrice! Gracias. So glad you captured and shared these shots with us. I especially love the facial expressions in #5 and #8.
http://www.deliciouschaos.com Nick

What brilliant photos and news! Ditto on caption for number 10 ; )

http://www.beatricemurchphotography.com Beatrice

Thanks Nick! I thought the caption would go over well with certain Norte-Americanos.

http://www.bearshapedsphere.blogspot.com eileen

I can´t wait for Chile to one day follow suit. Maybe ten years? Congratulations Argentina and congratulations to you for these awesome photos. Thanks for sharing them with us!

http://www.beatricemurchphotography.com Beatrice

Thanks Eileen. Like I told Tom, I hope more countries follow suit. Hopefully, this will set off a positive chain reaction of human rights in Latin America.

http://www.cachandochile.com Margaret

Great news! Great photos! 1 translation correction! Nº6- Sotana refers to a PRIEST’S robes, not Santanic robes.

http://www.beatricemurchphotography.com Beatrice

Thanks Margaret! You’re very correct on the caption correction. I’ll see if they can update it – no promises though.
http://yesthereissuchathingasastupidquestion.com Kate

Thanks, Margaret. Going to fix this now.

http://miller-david.com david miller

eileen,

lau and i talked about this and she mentioned that she thought divorce was still technically illegal in chile. can you confirm?
Laura

Great photos! Thank you so much for working on this! Your pics are so much better than the ones published in the Argentinean newspapers! (specially the conservative ones, haha, they didn’t want to show the colorful party!). I stayed awake almost all night, listening to the Senators, and can’t tell you how moving it was to hear, at 4.06 am: “El matrimonio gay is ley”. “Leeeeeey”, I yelled! Then I cried for 10 minutes and couldn’t go to be until 5 am. I’m so proud of my country! This is such a big step in terms of human rights! Go Argentina!!! Same love, same rights! To start a family all you need is LOVE )))))))
Thanks again!

http://www.beatricemurchphotography.com Beatrice

Thanks Laura! I am so glad you liked the photos. It was an emotional night for many many people. Vamos Argentina!!

http://www.holisticwithhumor.com Christine Garvin

I’m moved. Thanks for capturing this!

http://www.beatricemurchphotography.com Beatrice

Thank you Christine! I was glad to be able to capture some of the spirit of the night.

http://joshywashington.wordpress.com joshua johnson

What a remarkable moment in history captured here, thank you for this inspiring view of a world changing night!

http://www.beatricemurchphotography.com Beatrice

Thanks Joshua! It was quite a wonderful and joyous night.

Melissa

Beatrice – Great photos! Great light, great energy, great perspectives! Thanks for being there at this amazing event and sharing it with the rest of the world!

http://www.beatricemurchphotography.com Beatrice

Thanks Melissa & my pleasure. Photos are meant to be seen, shared, experienced and felt.

http://www.beatricemurchphotography.com Beatrice

Thanks Nancy. I am glad that some of the photos resonated well with you.
Muriel A Murch

Bravo Bea.
Great that you caught the mood, the people and the occasion.
Besos MXM
http://www.nehasweb.com neha

Thanks for sharing these amazing shots! One country at a time, right?
http://the-things-i.blogspot.com Jared Krauss

Beatrice, great photos!

In an effort to make everyone better, including myself: The caption on number 10, you could probably do without. Yes, most people are going to find it entertaining, and I’m not saying you should try to please everyone, but rather attempt to please no one and leave it out. For me it was too much of an over-generalization. Being someone who would more often than not vote Republican on many fiscal and social matters, but votes for independent candidates and many Democratic candidates to assume that every American Republican would not welcome a gay socialist is a little near sighted. I’m not trying to attack you or start some argument about politics, because frankly I could care less. I don’t think the government should have any place in my or your life. I’m just trying to highlight something I see.

Perhaps in the future you would just not mention that tid-bit. I hope was more constructive than critical in this.

On a side note, my brother was just telling me about this, because he was just recently in Argentina.

Glad you could cover it and be there for a piece of history!

Cheers,
Jared
http://www.andrewgouldphotography.com/ Andrew Gould

Excellent coverage of this momentous event. A very exciting series to view!

Gay marriage legalized in Argentina

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

Related Posts

Beatrice Murch

More By This Author

Gallery

Gallery

Quick-Read

Feature

Gallery

Gallery

Gallery

Feature

Gallery

Gallery

Gallery

Gallery

Matador Network © 2006-2012

About Matador

Sections

Become a Contributor

New Media School