Dueling Gay Marriage Rallies Held In Paraguay

announced they would lobby in October for passage of a similar bill in neighboring Paraguay.

With the backing of the Roman Catholic Church, opposition to the

yet-to-be-introduced bill quickly mobilized.

“We are going to put out an intense educational campaign on Christian

values, to avoid the law of marriage between people of the same sex

that was approved in Argentina from coming to Paraguay,” Bishop

Adalberto Martinez of San Pedo toldLa Nation in July.

Saturday's Festival Por La Vida Y La Famalia (Festival For Life & Family)

urges opponents of gay marriage to protest the institution at town

squares throughout the nation. The group's Facebook page has

The loudest protest is expected to take place in Asuncion, the nation's

largest city and its capital, just a stone's throw away from Argentina.

Gay marriage advocates are gathering in front of the Pantheon of Heroes, Asuncion's memorial to the country's fallen soldiers.

“This festival would not be taking place, if not prompted by the Queremos

Papa y Mama (We want a mother and a father) campaign,” Simon Cazal,

president of SOMOSGAY, told UltimaHora.com.

Adamfoxie blog Int.