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Brazil judicial decision paves way for gay marriage | Brazil judicial decision paves way for gay marriage |
(about 2 hours later) | |
The authorities in Brazil have ruled that marriage licences should not be denied to same-sex couples. | The authorities in Brazil have ruled that marriage licences should not be denied to same-sex couples. |
The council that oversees the country's judiciary said it was wrong for some offices just to issue civil union documents when the couple wanted full marriage certificates. | The council that oversees the country's judiciary said it was wrong for some offices just to issue civil union documents when the couple wanted full marriage certificates. |
Correspondents say the decision in effect authorises gay marriage. | Correspondents say the decision in effect authorises gay marriage. |
However full legalisation depends on approval of a bill being examined by the Congress. | However full legalisation depends on approval of a bill being examined by the Congress. |
Tuesday's resolution by Brazil's National Council of Justice was based on a 2011 Supreme Court ruling that recognised same-sex civil unions. | Tuesday's resolution by Brazil's National Council of Justice was based on a 2011 Supreme Court ruling that recognised same-sex civil unions. |
However, notary publics were not legally bound to converting such unions into marriages when asked by gay couples. | |
This led to some being denied marriage certificates at certain places, but being granted the document at others. That would be illegal, according to the new resolution. | This led to some being denied marriage certificates at certain places, but being granted the document at others. That would be illegal, according to the new resolution. |
"If a notary public officer rejects a gay marriage, he could eventually face disciplinary sanctions", NCJ judge Guilherme Calmon told BBC Brasil. | "If a notary public officer rejects a gay marriage, he could eventually face disciplinary sanctions", NCJ judge Guilherme Calmon told BBC Brasil. |
The ruling brings Brazil one step closer to its neighbours Argentina and Uruguay, which have legalised gay marriages. | The ruling brings Brazil one step closer to its neighbours Argentina and Uruguay, which have legalised gay marriages. |
But opponents could still challenge it at the Supreme Court. | But opponents could still challenge it at the Supreme Court. |
And the same-sex marriage bill being examined by the Congress faces strong opposition from religious and conservative lawmakers. | And the same-sex marriage bill being examined by the Congress faces strong opposition from religious and conservative lawmakers. |
Brazil is the world's most populous Roman Catholic nation and has an estimated 60,000 gay couples. | Brazil is the world's most populous Roman Catholic nation and has an estimated 60,000 gay couples. |