President Cristina Fernandez signed a new law Wednesday making Argentina the first country in Latin America to legalize marriage for same-sex couples. Civil registries across the nation will now begin processing long lists of marriage applications from gay couples. The first such ceremony in Buenos Aires is set for Aug. 13. “Today we are a society that is a little more egalitarian than last week,” Fernandez said at the signing ceremony. Representatives of groups for gays and lesbians cheered, crying out “Equality, equality!”

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