A Peruvian lawmaker announced Thursday that he is sponsoring a
bill which would recognize gay and lesbian couples in Peru with civil
unions.
Congressman Carlos Bruce told
Canal N that gay couples in Peru were victims of state-sponsored
discrimination because they are not allowed to protect their
relationships by law, and are therefore vulnerable.
“This will strengthen families, because it'll add a new kind of
family that is going to join their assets, they're going to have more
disposable income, and they're going to pay more taxes,” Bruce is
quoted as saying by Peru21. “And lastly, something else, the most
important: They're going to be happier, which they have every right
to be.”
Bruce insisted that his bill would not allow gay couples to marry
or adopt children. He's previously said that marriage remains out of
reach for now.
The Roman Catholic Church in Peru has strongly opposed government
recognition of gay unions. During the 2011 presidential election,
Archbishop Luis Bambaren scolded pro-gay politicians, including
Bruce, saying that their motivation behind proposing “useless
things” was votes.
“I do not know why we talk about gays. Let's speak in Creole or
Castilian: They're fags. That's how you say it, right?” he added.