Chile president to introduce civil unions bill

Chile President Sebastian Pinera is expected to introduce a bill legalizing civil unions for gay and lesbian couples this coming week.

The bill legalizes unions – known as Non-Marital Cohabitation Agreements – for both gay and straight couples who have lived together for over a year.

According to OnTop Magazine, the introduction of the bill comes after MOVILH, the largest gay rights group in Chile, demonstrated against Pinera’s lack of support for the civil union bill earlier in his term.

Pinera told El Mercurio, that with this measure he seeks to “safe guard the dignity” of couples who live together, “whether of opposite sex or even the same sex.”

In Latin America, Argentina has legalized gay marriage, and Mexico recognizes gay marriages, which are legal in Mexico City.  Uruguay has proposed a gay marriage law.