Two gay couples raced Friday to become
the first to marry in Argentina, Clarin reported.
Alejandro Vanelli and Ernesto Larresse,
together 34 years, married at 9:46AM in Buenos Aires. The couple was
already on track to become the first to marry in the province on
August 13. The men made a request to move up the date, which was
granted on Thursday.
Vanelli, 61, is an agent who represents
over 200 actors, while Larresse, 60, is an actor.
The couple previously attempted to
marry twice but had been denied.
“I have only words of gratitude,”
an emotional Vanelli said.
The marriage was witnessed by actors
Mercedes Moran, Boy Olmi and Gerardo Romano.
Olmi said he was proud to be part of
the historic wedding.
Less than two hours earlier, another
wedding took place in Santiago del Estero, between architect Juan
Carlos Navarro, 54, and his partner of 27 years, Miguel Angel
Calefato, 65.
The Navarro-Calefato wedding was poised
to make history after it leapfrogged ahead of another couple set to
marry in Mendoza on Saturday.
Navarro said the couple was not driven
by being first, but only wanted to be legally married.
At least three additional gay couples are expected
to marry in Argentina on Saturday.
Argentina is the first Latin American
country to legalize gay marriage. Lawmakers approved the law over
the strong objections of the Roman Catholic church. Some judges have
protested marrying gay couples.
Since the law's enactment, Chile
and Peru have announced plans to debate recognition of gay unions,
and Uruguay
and Paraguay will consider gay marriage legislation.