Uruguay took a massive step towards equality yesterday when it became the first Latin American country to legalize same sex civil unions.

The Congress passed legislation creating a civil union registry for same-sex and unmarried heterosexual couples.

The measure had previously passed the Chamber of Senators.

The new law was a manifesto commitment of the ruling leftist coalition of President Tabare Vasquez.

While gay marriage is still illegal in Uruguay, the move marks a step left in the traditionally Catholic country. And, of course, not everyone is pleased. PinkNews UK reports that a representative of the Uruguayan Episcopal Conference was quoted as saying “In no way can homosexual cohabitation be accepted because it does not meet the basic criteria defining marriage, it is therefore unacceptable to place it in suchlike equal level.”

Whatever. Congrats Uruguayos!

Via / PinkNews.co.uk