Marriage Equality Comes to Colombia

More good marriage equality news from across the globe!

According to NewNowNext, “The Colombian Constitutional Court declared that banning same-sex marriage is unconstitutional in a 6-3 decision issued Friday, fully legalizing same-sex marriage and restoring benefits to same-sex couples who are already married. The rights of married same-sex couples in Colombia have been in limbo for years as the Constitutional Court and Congress fought over which should make the decision.” Colombia is now the fourth South American country,  right behind Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay, to make same-sex marriage legal. Colombia has slowly since 2007 passed laws to protect same sex-couples. Adoption, healthcare, pension and social security rights have been granted to LGBT couples but only as common-law marriages.

“The right to marry and to form a family are fundamental rights that States must protect. Limiting marriage to heterosexual couples violates the right to nondiscrimination and equality,” said José Miguel Vivanco, Executive Director of the Human Rights Watch Americas Division, in an impassioned speech before the court. “The court’s decision to grant all Colombians, regardless of their sexual orientation, the right to marry the people they love is a landmark move for human rights in the country.”

Have friends tying the knot here or abroad? A Proudly Yours card looks great on every gift!