¡Felicitaciones Argentina!

Judge Gabriela Seijas ordered the civil registry to make official the marriage of Alejandro Freyre, 39, and Jose Maria Di Bello, 41, who had been denied their request because they were both men.

It could increase pressure for lawmakers to take up a stalled gay marriage bill in Congress.

“We are very happy, moved, but we also feel the heavy weight of responsibility because it’s not just about us, it’s encouraging legal equality in Argentina and the rest of Latin America,” Di Bello told Agence France-Presse.

The couple had filed a complaint in April. …

The decision by Seijas “is incredibly courageous, we didn’t expect it,” acknowledged Di Bello, who fell into his partner’s arms when he learned of the verdict.

Of course judicial decisions can be appealed, but not to worry.

The government of the City of Buenos Aires said it would not appeal a ruling that would pave the way for same-sex marriages in the capital.

Through a statement published on the Internet, City Mayor Mauricio Macri said “this is an important step, because we must learn how to live in freedom without hurting the rights of others…. We must cohabit, and accept this reality. The world is heading toward that direction”

Macri added that the decision was the result “of an important internal debate,” through which he wanted to “improve the liberties” of the citizens. …

The ruling of Administrative Judge Gabriela Seijas, said “the law should treat everybody with the same respect, regardless of their singularities, without the need to understanding and regulating them.”

The couple said they were “proud and happy” for being “the first same-sex couple who have been backed by the courts,” in a ruling that came only days after the Lower House of Congress failed to reach quorum on a law draft to allow homosexual marriages in the country. The law, which would be debated next year, would make Argentina the first country in the region to legalize same-sex marriages