Lawmakers in Uruguay have approved a bill allowing gay and lesbian couples to adopt, according to the AP.
Despite opposition from Uruguay's Roman Catholic Church and some of the political opposition, the 99-seat Chamber or Representatives on Thursday passed the 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.
"We're deeply happy," Mauricio Coitino, from the country's Black Sheep Collective of gays, lesbians and transsexuals, said after Thursday's vote.
"The main thing is that the project promotes equality for families with gay or transsexual parents, so they can raise their children with the same rights."
Approximately 3.5 million people live in Uruguay and the nation has now moved another step away from its more conservative neighbors after having already authorized civil unions for gays last year.
If it becomes law, Uruguay would be the first country in Latin American to allow adoption by gay and lesbian couples.
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