Mexico offers honeymoon to gay newlyweds

MEXICO CITY, July 16 (UPI) -- Mexico City says it is offering a free honeymoon to the first gay couple to wed under Argentina's new law legalizing same-sex marriages.

After Argentina became the first Latin-American country to allow gay marriage, the Mexico City government made the offer as "a recognition of tolerance, but first and foremost a way to promote gay tourism in Mexico," the BBC reported Friday.

Mexico City legalized same-sex marriage in 2009 and would like to be seen as a gay-friendly tourist destination, the BBC said.

Mexico City's tourism secretary, Alejandro Rojas, said the couple -- who have not yet been identified -- would have all their expenses paid for in the capital and in the beach resort of Cancun.

The city government would cover airfare but Rojas said he is looking for hotels and restaurants to come forward to financially sponsor the rest of the honeymoon, the BBC said.