BRAZIL – A Brazilian judge has approved the country’s first gay marriage. Following the recognition of same-sex civil unions by Brazil’s Supreme Court back in May Sao Paulo state Judge Fernando Henrique Pinto has ruled two men could convert their civil union into a full marriage.
Globo television’s G1 Website identified the couple as Sergio Kauffman Sousa and Luiz Andre Moresi. “We’ve fought for so many years and now that it has happened we are in ecstasy. I dedicate this victory to all the activists,” said a jubilant Moresi.
Legal experts have stated that the ruling can be reversed by a higher court but Moresi said the couple were willing to fight for the right to stay married.
The Associated Press reported Luiz Mott, founder of Grupo Gay da Bahia, the oldest gay rights organization in Brazil, as saying the marriage was a huge step for LGBT rights in the country. “Now any couple can ask for the same thing. It’s a great advance,” he said.
It is not clear what wider implications the decision will have.
