Brazil must recognise gay ‘marriages’

Brazil’s high court has ruled that same-sex civil partnerships must be recognised, a decision welcomed as a watershed by gay activists who also hope it will cool rising violence against homosexuals in Latin America’s most populous nation.

By The Newsroom

Published 6th May 2011, 20:21 BST

The ruling, however, stopped short of legalising gay marriage in Brazil, which has more Roman Catholics than any other country. The Catholic Church fought the measure.

All but one of the 11 Supreme Court justices backed civil union rights for same-sex couple. One justice abstained.

The court ruled that gay couples deserve the same legal rights as heterosexual pairs when it comes to alimony, retirement benefits of a partner who dies and inheritances, among other issues.

In Latin America, gay marriage is legal only in Argentina and Mexico City.

Brazil’s ruling sets a judicial precedent that must be honoured by all public institutions, including notary publics where civil unions must be registered.

Marcelo Cerqueira, with the gay rights group Grupo Gay da Bahia, said: “This is a historic moment for all Brazilians, not just homosexuals. This judgment will change everything for us in society – and for the better.”

Brazil Supreme Court