MADRID, SPAIN  --  Two of Argentina's leading gay activists, Cesar Cigliutti and Marcelo Suntheim, married in Spain's capital Madrid Monday because they are denied the chance to marry in their own home country.

Once the couple comes home to Argeintina, they plan to campaign for legal recognition of their marriage. Although Argentina does not recognize gay marriage, the Buenos Aires legislature approved a law in 2002 permitting same-sex civil unions, granting gay couples in the Argentine capital economic and family rights similar to those of heterosexual couples.

Cigliutti and Marcelo Suntheim were able to wed because Suntheim has dual citizenship in Argentina and Germany – allowing him to marry within the European Union, AP reports. Spain began allowing same-sex marriages in 2005, granting gay couples the same rights as heterosexual ones to marry, adopt children and inherit each other's property.

In South America, Uruguay is the only country that recognizes same-sex unions, except for Mexico City and some Mexican and Brazilian states.

Last update: 01-21-2008 20:57