Uruguay poised to legalize gay marriage nationwide

MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay (AP) — Uruguay's lawmakers are debating whether to legalize gay marriage.

A vote expected late Wednesday would make Uruguay the third country in the Americas after Canada and Argentina to eliminate laws making marriage, adoption and other family rights exclusive to heterosexuals.

The "marriage equality project" was already approved by both houses, but senators made some changes requiring a final vote by the deputies.

Among them: gay and lesbian foreigners will now be allowed to come to Uruguay to marry, just as heterosexual couples can, said Michelle Suarez, a member of the Black Sheep Collective, a gay rights group that drafted the proposal.

President Jose Mujica's ruling Broad Front majority is expected to put the law into effect within 10 days after Wednesday's vote.WFAA