Status of same-sex marriage is identical to that of a traditional marriage under the Marriage Act. Both religious and civil officials may refuse to perform same-sex marriages. On 22 July 2010, Argentina became the first country in Latin America to legalise same-sex marriage. The law also allows same-sex couples to adopt. And in many jurisdictions, including the city of Buenos Aires, it is also legal for non-residents and tourists. On 25 October 2011, Brazil's Supreme Court of Justice ruled that two women can enter into civil marriage under the current law, thus overturning the decision of two lower court's ruling against the women. Following
Same-sex marriage in Germany the previous proposal was defeated. Federal elections were held on 22 September 2013, after which a new government coalition was formed. The new Bundestag, which started on 22 October, again consisted of a theoretical majority of parties in favour of same-sex marriage (SPD, Die Linke and The Greens). Die Linke immediately introduced a bill to legalise same-sex marriage, but SPD did not support it, in order to not jeopardise the negotiations of the government formation. Even though the SPD had campaigned on "100% equality" for LGBT people, the coalition agreement between CDU, CSU and SPD did not contain any significant