'Love is love:' Chile legalizes same-sex marriage in historic vote

People react outside Congress as the Senate vote to approve a same-sex marriage bill in Valparaiso, Chile December 7, 2021. REUTERS/Rodrigo Garrido

SANTIAGO (Reuters) -Chile's Congress passed a law to legalize same-sex marriage on Tuesday, in a milestone for the conservative South American nation after a decade-long legal battle and with the country delicately poised ahead of a crossroads election this month.

"Today is a historic day, our country has approved same-sex marriage, one more step forward in terms of justice, in terms of equality, recognizing that love is love," Minister of Social Development Karla Rubilar said after the vote.