Chile's lower house approves same-sex marriage, bill sent back to Senate

FILE PHOTO: People take part in the annual Gay Pride parade in support of LGBT community, in Santiago, Chile, June 22, 2019. REUTERS/Rodrigo Garrido

SANTIAGO (Reuters) - Chile's lower house approved on Tuesday a bill that would permit same-sex marriage in the South American country of 19 million, sending the measure back to the Senate where it appears to have the support needed to become law.

The measure, which originated in the upper house, was approved in the nation's Chamber of Deputies with 97 votes in favor and 35 against. As the lower house made some changes to the bill, it will need to be re-approved by the upper house before being sent to center-right President Sebastian Pinera, who has already announced his support.