The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA)congratulated the people of Argentina by distinguishing the President of the Republic of Argentina for the promulgation of the “Law of Egalitarian Marriage” which makes this country the first one in the Latin America and Caribbean region to legally recognize the marriage of same-sex couples.

Pedro Paradiso Sottile, ILGA Regional Co-Secretary for Latin America and the Caribbean and recognized gay activist of Comunidad Homosexual Argentina (CHA), handed a plaque to the President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner on behalf of ILGA, Thursday 22,
2010, in Argentina’s presidential building, traditionally known as the “Pink House”. It is the first time in ILGA’s 30 year history that the world federation recognizes a chief of State.
 

Handed in the name of ILGA’s 700 member organizations from some 110 countries around the world, the plaque mentions Dra. Cristina Fernández de Kirchnerby’s contribution to the promotion of universal human rights, the principle of equality and non discrimination of people on the basis of their sexual direction and gender identity, on the national and
international levels.
 

It is worth recalling how, during its current Government, Argentina has recognized the payment of pensions to widowers and widows of same-sex couples (2008), elaborated a National Plan Against Discrimination that includes the LGTBI agenda, lobbied publicly for
resolutions of non discrimination on the grounds of sexual direction and gender identity at the United Nations (from 2004 till 2008) and at the Organization of American States (OAS, from 2008 till 2010), and finally promulgated the Law of Egalitarian Marriage, that recognizes from now on, Argentinean families in all their diversity (July 2010).