First Gay Couple to Marry in Argentina Offered Free Honeymoon in Mexico

Mexico City’s tourism board has extended the offer of a free honeymoon in Mexico to the first gay couple to be married under Argentina’s new law legalizing same-sex marriages.

On Thursday Argentina became the first Latin American country to legalize gay marriage. The passing of the new law is a significant step for a country whose capital city is already considered one of the most gay-friendly cities in Latin America. Buenos Aires has been recognizing same-sex civil unions since 2002.

Mexico City Promotes Gay Tourism

With the passing of this new law, Argentina joins Belgium, Canada, Iceland, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, South Africa, Spain and Sweden in legally recognizing same-sex marriages. Mexico City became the first city in Latin America to legalize same-sex marriages when a similar law was approved back in December. Both the Mexico City and Argentina laws also allow gay couples to adopt children.

As reported on BBC News, the Argentine newly-weds will have all expenses paid in Mexico City as well as in the popular resort destination of Cancun located in the state of Quintana Roo on Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. Air fares for the couple would be paid by the government and Mexico City’s tourism secretary is seeking sponsorship from hotels and restaurants to finance the remainder of the honeymoon package.

The offer of a free Mexican honeymoon package to Argentina’s first gay newly-weds is just a small part of a larger campaign by the Mexico City tourism board to promote gay tourism in the capital. Mexico City has been investing in an array of gay-friendly services including a new hotel in the Zona Rosa neighborhood and tourism officials are working alongside local travel agencies to develop gay-friendly tour packages.

These initiatives combined with the recent legalization of gay marriage in Mexico City are expected to attract more gay and lesbian visitors to the capital. Tourism officials hope to attract gay couples to marry in the capital and they would like to see Mexico City ranked among the top gay tourism destinations in the region.

Photo Credit: brainchildvn (via Twitter CC)