Brazil acknowledges same-sex marriage
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After two days of voting, Brazil's Supreme Court ruled on Thursday evening that same-sex marriages are equal to those of heterosexual couples.
The ruling was unanimous and created a precedent to be followed by all Brazilian local and federal courts. Now the over 60,000 same-sex couples in Brazil must be granted the same rights as heterosexual ones, such as inheritance, pensions, and spousal support, as well as benefits such as the inclusion of the partner in medical insurance.
Human Rights Minister Maria do Rosario celebrated the Court's decision.
"The human rights, the equality, and the constitutional principle of rejecting discrimination prevailed," she said. "Every person who is part of this community and faces prejudice every day has much to celebrate for a new Brazil which was revealed with this ruling," she said.
According to head of the Supreme Court, Minister Cezar Peluso, the Brazilian Congress must now elaborate a bill to regulate the situations in which the application of the Court's decision is justified.
According to Supreme Court Minister Celso de Mello, the ruling is a mark in the history of the gay rights in Brazil.
"This decision will mark this country's life, and will give new directions to the homosexuals' cause. It will be a new starting point," he said.
