Kirchner and Same-Sex Marriage

By Bryan Weiner

On July 12, 2010, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner gave a passionate speech about the need to legalize same-sex marriage in Argentina. Two days later, that speech was followed by legislation making Argentina the first Latin American country that legally allowed same-sex couples to wed and adopt children. She talked about the legalization of same-sex marriage as a civil right and as something that was guaranteed in the Argentinian constitution. She compared it to a history of marriage oppression in Argentina that was tied to the Catholic Church; previously the only legal weddings in the country were those officially sanctioned by the Church. Her harshest words, however, were directed at the Church, and in particular its national leader at the time, Cardinal Jorge Birgoglio (now Pope Francis), who declared same-sex marriage to be a “war on God”. Kirchner claimed that the Church was trying to bring back the days of the Inquisition and the Crusades.

What does Kirchner’s alignment with the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community tell us about her character, though? Is this a genuine concern for a marginalized community, part of her carefully constructed image as a powerful female leader, part of her stand against the rampant machismo in the Catholic society, or is it a calculated political movement?

Kirchner, as a populist, is constantly pushing for the rights of those who are facing discrimination in society. This is one of the major factors in her support of the LGBT community. It is also tied in to the rampant machismo that she has faced as the first female president of Argentina. One of the iconic images of Argentina is that of the gaucho, or cowboy. It was assumed when Kirchner took power, that she would forever be standing in the shadow of her powerful husband, the late Nestor Kirchner and former president of Argentina. From the very beginning of her presidency, however, Kirchner was very clear on the construction of her image as a powerful female leader, the mother of Argentina. Much of the machismo is tied in to the powerful Catholic Church. By supporting the LGBT community and same-sex marriage, she was challenging the homophobic, machista attitudes of Argentinian society, while at the same time challenging the masculine power structure of the Church, which was so vehemently against the legalization of same-sex marriage.

However, another key element of Kirchner’s character is that of a shrewd politician. It has been speculated that her support of the LGBT community was targeted at shoring up political support in Buenos Aires, a more affluent city that isn’t always in line with her populist economic policies, but with a socially progressive demographic that has shown strong support for the LGBT community.

Now, however, Pope Francis has changed his tone (and to a certain extent the tone of the Catholic Church) with regards to the LGBT community and same-sex marriage has been legalized throughout Latin America. While Kirchner has proven herself a strong leader, she is still fighting the ingrained machismo that exists in society. As same-sex marriage becomes a more critical issue worldwide, her evolving relationship with this community in Argentina will show a great deal about her character and whether this is a true commitment or a political move.