It must be voted on by the lower house , signed by Uruguay 's president . Catholic Church has fiercely opposed the proposal . Left - wing groups say it 's a matter of recognizing inherent human rights . `` Latin America currently has some of the most gay-friendly cities in the developing world , '' said Corrales , who ranked cities ' gay-friendliness in a book he co-edited , `` The Politics of Sexuality in Latin America . '' If approved , Uruguay would become the second Latin American country to legalize same - sex marriage .
It must be voted on by the lower house , signed by Uruguay 's president . Catholic Church has fiercely opposed the proposal . Left - wing groups say it 's a matter of recognizing inherent human rights . If approved , Uruguay would become the second Latin American country to legalize same - sex marriage .