Progress marches on! In Brazil, the
court has ruled that Same Sex couples who want to formalize a committed relationship can be married if that's what they want, rather than being relegated to Same Sex Unions.
BRASILIA, Brazil -- Brazilian notary publics must register same-sex civil unions as marriages if the couple requests it, the country's National Council of Justice said Tuesday.
The council that oversees the country's judiciary said in a statement that notary publics cannot refuse to marry gay couples or convert a same-sex civil union into a marriage if that's what the pair wants.
The council based its decision on a 2011 Supreme Court ruling that recognized same-sex civil unions. The court said at the time that gay couples are entitled to same legal rights as heterosexual pairs when it comes to alimony, retirement benefits of a partner who dies and inheritances, among other issues.
Those opposed to the council's ruling can file an appeal with the Supreme Court.
Of course, there are also
trolls in the dungeon.
The Social Christian Party filed its appeal Tuesday with the Supreme Court arguing that the council's ruling was unconstitutional because Congress has not approved it.
Now, here's the twisted joke:
One of the party's leaders is Congressman Marco Feliciano, an evangelical pastor who is president of the Commission for Human Rights and Minorities. He has said on his Twitter page that AIDS is a "gay cancer."
Yeah...
