Brazil senate commission approves same-sex union

In practice, the decision means that the rules governing civil union

Published on 08/03/2017 - 19:36 By Yara Aquino reports from Agência Brasil - Brasília

Brasília - A 11 Parada do Orgulho LGBTS de Taguatinga, neste domingo (30), na Praça do Relógio (Marcelo Camargo/Agência Brasil)

The vote was definitive and the bill will be submitted to the lower house for deliberation in case no appeal is filed on the moveMarcelo Camargo/Agência Brasil

The Senate's Constitution and Justice Commission (CJJ) approved Wednesday (Mar. 8) a bill aimed at recognizing same-sex unions and allowing them to turn into marriage. The vote was definitive and the bill will be submitted to the lower house for deliberation in case no appeal is filed on the move, in which case the matter would have be voted on by the full house.

Under Brazilian law, a family is “the stable union between a man and a woman in the form of a public, ongoing and long-lasting union, constituted with the purpose of building a family.” The bill, known as PLS 612/2011 stipulates a change to “two people,” preserving the remainder of the text.

In 2011, Brazil's Supreme Court unanimously voted to recognize same-sex civil union as a family. In practice, the decision means that the rules governing civil union between a man and a woman are to apply for gay couples as well. In 2013, the National Justice Council approved a resolution which mandates that all notary's offices across the country should acknowledge these unions and grant them marriage status after different interpretations on the matter arose.

Senator Roberto Requião, rapporteur in the case, mentioned the Supreme Court's decision in his report, and said that the Legislative branch is responsible for making the law suit the understanding of the top court, in order to eliminate obstacles and provide legal security to same-sex couples. The bill voted on today was presented by Senator Marta Suplicy.

“It is the duty of the Legislative Power to fulfill its role and bring the clauses in the Civil Code in accordance with the distinguished understanding of the Supreme Court, as proposed in the bill brought forward by Senator Marta Suplicy, and contribute to the increase of legal security and ultimately the dissemination of social peace,” Requião's report reads.


Translated by Fabrício Ferreira


Fonte: Brazil senate commission approves same-sex union

Edition: Graça Adjuto / José Romildo

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