Colombia has become the fourth South American country to allow same-sex marriage after a ruling by the country's constitutional court. The Catholic country follows Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay in formally recognizing the rights of same-sex couples to marry.
"The judges affirmed by a majority that marriage between people of the same sex does not violate constitutional order," presiding Judge Maria Victoria Calle told the court.
"The current definition of the institution of marriage in civil law applies to them in the same way as it does for couples of the same sex."
Although previous rulings allowed gay couples to formalize their unions before notaries and judges, same-sex marriage had remained a legal grey area and appeals had been launched against it. Many officials had refused to register such marriages since congress failed to pass legislation enshrining equal marriage rights in law — prompting protests from gay rights campaigners. The decision is set to be recorded as an irrevocable constitutional ruling within a month, making it legally valid. About 70 unions previously registered only as civil partnerships will now be automatically converted into full marriages under the new ruling, the judge who presented the motion, Alberto Rojas, told reporters.
"We can say with certainty that the Colombian courts have approved equal marriage rights," Marcela Sanchez, leader of the campaign group Colombia Diversa, said.
"We are very happy because Colombia has taken a step toward diversity," said Adriana Gonzalez, who had campaigned for the right to marry her female partner.
The constitutional court had already ruled last year that same-sex couples may adopt children even when neither member is the biological parent.
Source: AFP
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