Law on same-sex union approved in Brazil now world heritage

The 2011 ruling issued by Brazil’s Supreme Court recognizing same-sex unions and fundamental rights for gay people received the MoWBrasil 2018 certificate, offered by Brazil’s National Committee of the Memory of the World Program, of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco).

The court decision was listed as documentary heritage of humanity in Brazil’s National Register. Former Supreme Court Justice Ayres Britto, who was tasked with the cases on the topic, represented the court during a ceremony held yesterday (Dec. 12) in Rio de Janeiro.

“The Constitution brings a new lease of life to customs and can bury ideas long dead,” he declared. “[The Supreme Court ruling] makes prejudice based on people’s sexuality illegal,” he said.

Ayres Britto added that this is a matter of civilization, democracy, and humanism. “It’s a path of no return. It’s the de-colonization of the mind.”

Jussara Derenji, chairwoman of the National Committee of Unesco Memory of the World, said that “a kaleidoscope of history is being built through the new contributions from national institutions.”