Civil unions in Argentina

In Argentina, marriage is allowed only between a man and woman. However, starting in 2003, the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires^[1] and the province of Río Negro offered the possibility of civil unions, which are private contracts between two responsible adults (opposite-sex and same-sex couples) who have lived together for at least two years. These couples are granted some of the rights provided to married couples.

The civil union gives both members of the couple health and insurance benefits and hospital visitation rights, but do not allow same-sex couples to receive inheritance, the possibility to marry, or the right to adopt children.

At a national level, Argentina extends widow/widower pensions to surviving partners of same-sex couples. Four Argentine labor unions have now extended National Security System medical benefits to employees’ same-sex partners. The unions and the system operate jointly in the health-care arena. The benefits are available to members of the unions for teachers, commerce employees, executives and air-transport personnel. In December 2005, a judge agreed and ordered jails and prisons across the province to authorize conjugal visits for all gay prisoners. The ruling also allows inmates who develop relationships inside jails also to be allowed sexual relations.

On October 16 2007 legislation was put before the Senate that would legalize same-sex marriages nationally. If this legislation passes it could make Argentina the first country in Latin America to recognize same-sex marriages.

See also

• Common-law marriage
• Same-sex marriage

1. ^ With news agencies (14/12/2002). "Same-sex couples legal in BA". Buenos Aires Herald. 

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