NEWS IN ENGLISH – Gay group calls for civil union

09/05/2011 10:45

Douglas Corrêa Reporter Agência Brasil


Rio de Janeiro – A spokesperson for an umbrella group of gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transsexuals (“GLBT”), the Rainbow Group of Rio de Janeiro (“Grupo Arco-Íris”), called the Supreme Court decision to recognize stable homosexual unions as legal, “A historical conquest. This is really a date to commemorate. It is something we have been fighting for for over 15 years,” declared Cléber Vicente of the Grupo Arco-Íris.


However, although the decision does create a legal basis for a stable homosexual union, it does not make same-sex marriage legal and does not quite recognize a civil union (although the path to civil unions for homosexuals is now open).


Vicente went on to say that the ruling leaves various issues unresolved that will need congressional action, such as what he called “complete citizenship for the Brazilian homosexual movement that includes the right to a civil union.”


According to Vicente, the Rainbow Group wants equal rights, not privileges.

Allen Bennett – translator/editor The News in English
 

Link - Grupo Arco-Íris quer união civil entre homossexuais