Argentine officials will now start processing long lists of marriage applications from gay couples, with the first marriage ceremony scheduled in Buenos Aires in August

Argentine President Cristina Fernandez today signed a law that makes Argentina the first Latin American country to legalize same-sex marriage.

Saying: “Today we are a society that is a little more egalitarian than last week,” president Cristina Fernandez signed a new law for same-sex couples to get married in Argentina.

The law also grants same-sex couples the same legal protections and responsibilities of heterosexual couples, including the ability to inherit property and to jointly adopt children.

“Life is continually changing us,” Fernandez said. “These issues have to do with the condition of human beings, with aspiring for equality; they’re things that cannot divide us, but should rather unite us.”

Argentine officials will now start processing long lists of marriage applications from gay couples, with the first marriage ceremony scheduled in Buenos Aires on August 13.

Many countries throughout Latin American have all made recent moves to codify either in law or in their constitutions the legal status of gay and lesbian relationships, including Uruguay, Ecuador, Brazil, and Mexico.

No one knows exactly how many gay and lesbian couples have moved from the U.S. seeking personal freedom and legal recognition in their relationships. However, given the low cost of living, vibrant culture, and excellent weather in these Latin American destinations, experts say the new legal landscape in these countries will almost certainly lead to an increasing number of gay and lesbian couples moving abroad.

Argentina offers a great life, which is why International Living has been writing about this country for years. What is it about Argentina that keeps drawing us back? It’s the wonderful food and the long dinners…the best beef in the world…fabulous wines and entertainment that goes on into the early hours of the morning. Every time our editors return, they find new sights to see and new places to explore.

And right now, it’s cheap. It’s like Europe…but at a third of the price. It’s hard to go wrong there…whether you are thinking about relocating…or just investing. Now is the time to act.