Costa Rican lawmakers introduced a bill Tuesday that would legalize same-sex civil unions.The legislation, which is likely to meet heavy opposition from the country's Roman Catholic hierarchy, would grant rights like bereavement leave, inheritance, and medical decision-making power, Reuters reported.
"This is a bill that guarantees respect and tolerance for couples that are of the same sex," bill co-sponsor Andrea Morales of the main opposition Citizens Action Party told Reuters.
Ana Helena Chacon of the Social Christian Unity Party, the bill's author, admitted that the conservative nation may not be ready for this bill.
No members of Costa Rica's majority National Liberty Party have spoken in favor of the proposed legislation.
Though parts of Mexico and Argentina allow same-sex civil unions, Costa Rica could be the first Latin American country to legalize them nationwide.
Lawmakers in Colombia passed a civil-union bill through both legislative chambers, but senators reversed their approval Wednesday in a procedural vote.
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