A coalition of lawmakers are expected
to introduce a bill this week which seeks to legalize marriage for
gay and lesbian couples in Chile.
The lawmakers said that they would
introduce the bill on Wednesday, December 10.
The bill seeks to alter the definition
of marriage in Chile's Civil Marriage Act from “between a man and a
woman” to “between two people.”
Deputy Gabriel Silber, a Christian
Democrat, said “equal relationships, must have equal rights, there
is no reason for first and second-class citizens.”
Silber
added that he hopes the government will back the proposal.
President Michelle Bachelet endorsed
marriage equality during her campaign and pledged to open a
discussion on the subject.
However, a bill which proposes
recognizing gay couples with civil unions cleared
the Senate in October.