Adoption move

POLITICIANS in Uruguay have approved a bill allowing gay and lesbian couples to adopt.

Despite opposition from the Catholic Church, the 99-seat Chamber of Representatives passedthe bill 40-13, with the remaining members absent. It goes next to the Senate, which approved an earlier version of the bill in July but must now vote again on modifications.

If it becomes law, Uruguay would be the first country in Latin American to allow adoption by gay and lesbian couples.