Buenos Aires – In a historic day for the women's, lesbian, bisexual, transvestite, and transgender movement, after a session lasting more than 23 hours, the Argentine Chamber of Deputies gave preliminary approval to the bill to legalize abortion. It passed with 129 votes in favor and 125 against. The hearing, which had begun the previous day at 11:30 a.m., was followed by a massive crowd that filled the surrounding streets. On one side of the Plaza de los Dos Congresos (Plaza of the Two Congresses) were those opposed to the initiative. On the other, those in favor of legal, safe, and free abortion participated in a vigil. Toward the end of the debate, Deputy Silvia Lospennato (Cambiemos) received a standing ovation from all political blocs after mentioning the pioneering women who championed the bill for the voluntary termination of pregnancy (IVE) in Congress: “In memory of Carmen Argibay, Dora Coledesky, Lohana Berkins, and Veronica Barzano.” "To the sisters, this multi-party group of women who are here to stay in Argentine politics, united in their differences but always in favor of women. To the women in their homes, to our mothers and our daughters. May abortion be legal, safe, and free. May it be law," the congresswoman concluded, her voice breaking, tears welling in her eyes. Earlier, Congressman Leonardo Grosso (Peronism for Victory) had commemorated the struggle of trans activists and Micaela García, the student from Entre Ríos murdered in April 2017: "I want to remember those who fought against injustice in our country. Mica García, Diana Sacayán, and Lohana Berkins. The thousands who are at the doors of this Congress waiting for us to make law a right they have already won in the streets."

The time for revolution is now. Sex education to make informed decisions. Contraception to prevent abortion. Safe and legal abortion to prevent death. Trans rage. pic.twitter.com/CnIWwWemX7

— Alma Fernández (@almaFernandezok) June 13, 2018

Activists, musicians, and artists took to the stage, located at the corner of Callao and Perón, all with powerful slogans. Among them were Malena Pichot and Miss Bimbo, who asked those present to support the struggle of transvestites and trans people. "They are being killed and arrested. Let's not leave them alone."

[NOW] 🇦🇷 #July13 💚 💚 💚 #LegalAbortion #MakeItLaw @MelisadeOro1 is a trans woman and came because she knows: clandestine abortions kill. pic.twitter.com/QBmKrlWhC0

— Presentes Agency (@PresentesLGBT) June 13, 2018

Violeta Alegre, a transvestite activist and columnist for Presentes, read her transvestite-trans manifesto for legal abortion and called for people to join the national march against transvesticide and transfemicide, on June 28 in Plaza de Mayo. At midnight, a wave of green handkerchiefs shook the freezing night, with the crowd chanting "Legal abortion in hospitals" and "Down with the patriarchy, it's going to fall." [video width="720" height="1278" mp4="https://agenciapresentes.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/VIDEO-PAÑUELAZO-VIGILIA-ABORTO-LEGAL-EN-EL-HOSPITAL-0806.mp4"][/video] This morning, when the results of the vote were announced, the decision of the Chamber of Deputies was celebrated in the streets and on social media.

[NOW] 🇦🇷 #July13 💚 #LegalizeAbortion 💚 The vice president of @ATTTA_Nacional, @gianf_rosales, at the vigil in front of the National Congress: "Today is a historic day and we are happy because we achieved the inclusion of pregnant people in the bill." pic.twitter.com/Yjl5jjqD3f

— Presentes Agency (@PresentesLGBT) June 14, 2018

The bill legalizing abortion up to the 14th week of pregnancy was approved based on the proposal from the Campaign for the Right to Legal, Safe, and Free Abortion. The Campaign had been advocating for this bill since 2006, and it gained momentum in recent months. #8M, legal abortion was the main demand of the movement of Women, lesbians, bisexuals, transvestites and trans peopleAnd today's news is a huge victory for feminism. With the bill decriminalizing abortion having passed the Chamber of Deputies, it now moves to the Senate, which will decide whether to enact it into law. Starting today, a week must pass before it enters the parliamentary process in the Upper House, which could, if it chooses an expedited procedure, debate it on the floor within eight days. However, it is estimated that the bill might not reach a vote until September. Once it is considered again, the Senate can either reject it (the same Article 81 applies), approve it (it becomes law but must be regulated by the Executive Branch), or amend it (it returns to the Chamber of Deputies). ]]>