MONTEVIDEO , Uruguay ( CNN ) -- Uruguay became the first Latin American country to allow same-sex couples to adopt children after the Senate voted to approve a bill modifying the country 's adoption statute . `` It is a right for the boys and the girls , not a right for the adults , '' Sen. Margarita Percovich said after the vote on Wednesday . `` It streamlines the adoption process and does not discriminate . '' The expected Senate approval followed the lower chamber of Congress ' passage of the bill last month . The law will pave the way for gays and lesbians to start a family , Daniel Alonso , a resident of the Uruguayan capital of Montevideo , told CNN . `` You have plans to form a family , to adopt . When you have a law that protects you , it makes you want to have a child , '' he said . `` You feel part of society . '' The adoption measure would be the most recent of progressive laws passed with the backing of President Tabare Vazquez . Last year , lawmakers approved a measure allowing children aged 12 or older to change their names , a measure aimed at transgender or transsexual youths . Uruguay also authorized same-sex civil unions last year , setting the stage for the current adoption law . The measure was not without opponents among conservatives and the clergy . Last month , Archbishop Nicolas Cotugno of Montevideo , released a statement warning of consequences for society should the law pass , the Catholic News Agency reported . `` The adoption of children by homosexual couples is not a question of religion , philosophy or sociology . It has to do with respect for human nature itself , '' he said , according to CNA . `` To accept the adoption of children by homosexual couples is to go against human nature itself , and consequently , it is to go against the fundamental rights of the human being as a person . '' Journalist Dario Klein contributed to this report .
Senate : Expected unanimous approval and passage of bill by the lower house . NEW : Law paves way for gays , lesbians to start a family , Montevideo News says . Lawmakers already passed measure letting children 12 or older to change names . Measure was not without opponents from conservatives and clergy .