Brazil High Court Legalizes Same-Sex Unions

Posted on May 6, 2011

Flickr / lewishamdreamer Some rights reserved

In a decision that will not please the Roman Catholic Church, Brazil’s Supreme Court has ruled that same-sex couples deserve the same legal rights that married heterosexuals receive. —ARK

BBC:

The ruling makes Brazil one of very few South American nations, after Argentina and Uruguay, to allow gay unions with benefits similar to those afforded a heterosexual married couple.

... From now on same sex couples will be able to register their civil partnerships with solicitors and public bodies, giving them proper inheritance and pension rights.

However, the landmark ruling stops short of recognising gay marriage, which could involve public or religious ceremonies.

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