Because we love Sandro

This is a bit of a departure from the regular entries here on LatAm News Translations, but today the beloved Argentine singer Sandro de América, born Roberto Sánchez and known as the 'Argentine Elvis', ceased to exist (as the Argentines say). So I was compelled to translate the lyrics to his popular song Porque te amo, or Because I love you. We'll miss you Sandro!

Because I Love You
by Sandro de América (Roberto Sánchez)
Translated by Brian Schwarz

From the intense emotion welling up in your eyes, I can feel you’re suffering, as I am. This situation clouds reason, impedes thought on how this singular drama that exists between the two of us must end. We’re trying to pretend we’re only friends when in reality the passion is intensifying, biting at the heart and forcing me into silence. I love you. I love you.

Your ruby red, crimson lips seem to whisper a thousand things, without speaking. And I am here, seated before you, feeling as if I’m bleeding, unable to speak, trying to say somehow it would be better if I leave here, to see you no more. Why should I care at all? I already know I’ll suffer. But in the end I’ll have a quiet heart, and I’ll finally be able to shout… I love you. I love you. I love you.

Porque te amo
by Sandro de América (Roberto Sánchez)

Por ese palpitar
que tiene tu mirar
yo puedo presentir
que tú debes sufrir
igual que sufro yo
por esta situación
que nubla la razón
sin permitir pensar
En que ha de concluir
el drama singular
que existe entre los dos
tratando simular
tan solo una amistad
mientras en realidad
se agita la pasión
que muerde el corazón
y que obliga a callar
yo te amo......yo te amo

Tus labios de rubí
de rojo carnesí
parecen murmurar
mil cosas sin hablar
y yo que estoy aquí
sentado frente a ti
me siento desangrar
sin poder conversar
tratando de decir
tal vez será mejor
me marché yo de aquí
para no vernos mas
total que mas me da
ya se que sufriré
pero al final tendré
tranquilo el corazón
y al fin podré gritar
yo te amo
yo te amo
yo te a a mo

Gay marriage, adoption rights open path to equality in Latin America

Translated by Brian Schwarz

Originally published in “El Tiempo” of Bogota, Colombia (eltiempo.com) under the heading Poco a poco se abren paso las bodas gays en América Latina

MONTEVIDEO, URUGUAY – For the gay community, 2009 was a year of great advances in the fight for equal rights in a region where fierce resistance stems from a strong Catholic tradition.

With the celebration in Argentina of Latin America’s first gay marriage and the legalization of this type of wedding in Mexico City, the gay community closed the year with important advances in its fight for equal rights, this in open conflict with the strong tradition of Catholicism throughout the region.

The Argentine wedding took place just two days after the Mexico City’s legislative assembly approved December 21 a law that would allow gay couple to marry. That law becomes effective in Mexico in February.

Buenos Aires and Mexico City, as well as Uruguay and Colombia, already allow civil unions, but marriage among people of the same sex was not made legal in the region until now.

The controversy over gay marriage carries with it a debate over adoption rights for couples of the same sex.

Along these lines, this year there were advances in Uruguay. A new law passed to authorize adoption for gay couples while another passed which allows name and sex records to be changed.

In El Salvador, an attempt to expressly block gay marriages failed. While clauses that prohibit sexual discrimination were included in the constitutions of Bolivia and Ecuador.

In Colombia, an ongoing judicial struggle indicates that couples of the same sex may win adoption rights, according to Germán Rincón, member of Colombia Diversa.

Even Cuba seems to have left marginalization behind and has raised the possibility of permitting legal unions and adoptions.

On the other hand, in Costa Rica the highest court rejected a plea to legalize gay unions. And in Peru, the government passed a new police law mandating severe sanctions for officers who are gay, because they affect the image of the institution.

Eliana and Osvaldo: The first gay couple to formalize their union in Río Cuarto

Translated by Brian Schwarz

Originally published Friday, December 11, 2009 in "La Voz" (lavoz.com.ar) under the heading Eliana y Osvaldo, la primera pareja gay en formalizar su unión

RIO CUARTO, ARGENTINA - Eliana Alcaraz, 43, and Osvaldo Quevado, 47, became the first gay couple to register their civil union in Río Cuarto in a ceremony carried out at city hall.

Today, the couple of 23 years finally held a certified wedding ceremony, although Eliana was named “Ariel Ceferino”, the name that appears on his national identity document (DNI), according to Telediario Digital.

“I’m happy, proud. We’re going for more…for marriage. Thanks to all who have come with us”, said Eliana, according to Río Cuarto radio station Lv16.

The father of bricklayer Osvaldo appeared emotional at the end of the ceremony. “I’m happy that it turned out like this”, he said. “They are both hard workers. (…) They have been together 22 years. She is a very good person…they get along very well”.

Alcaraz’ mother said of her daughter, “She has a heart of gold; she deserves this”.

One of the witnesses of the union was town councilwoman Viviana Yawny, a proponent of the civil unions project.

Mayor Juan Jure met this noon with the couple to greet them, and he excused himself from being absent [at the ceremony], saying he would be traveling. He did promise, however, to attend the reception tonight.