The Mexican state of Colima has legalized civil unions for gay and
lesbian couples after approval of a constitutional change.
According to the AP, Colima state spokeswoman Cecilia Ramirez said
that following approval from seven of the state's ten municipalities
the legislature approved the constitutional change late Monday. She
told the wire service that that couples entering a civil union will
receive numerous benefits similar to those that accompany marriage.
Two state congressmen argued for marriage rather than civil unions
for gay couples and eventually voted against the measure.
Mexico City in 2009 legalized marriage for gay couples, and the
states of Quintana Roo and Oaxaca have since followed. The state of
Coahuila allows civil unions.
Uruguay earlier this year followed Argentina's 2010 lead and
legalized marriage for gay couples. Uruguay's marriage law takes
effect on Monday, though it will be a few days before the first
same-sex wedding takes place, Spanish news agency EFE reported.
While a court order effectively allows gay couples in Brazil to
marry, full legalization hinges on passage of a stalled law in
Congress.