QUITO, ECUADOR — (06-13-19) — The Ecuador Constitutional Court on Wednesday June 12, legalized same-sex marriage in a landmark ruling in the conservative South American country.
LGBT and human rights activists erupted in celebration in the country’s capitol of Quito and the port city of Guayaquil, waving Rainbow PRIDE flags.
The Constitutional Court voted 5-4, same-sex marriage was now the law of the land. The vote was conducted in a closed door hearing.
Even though the Catholic church has great influence on the country’s legislature, Ecuador now joins Argentina, Brazil and Colombia in recognizing same-sex marriage.
Ecuador Highest Court Rules Same-Sex Marriage Law of the Land
“It means that Ecuador is more egalitarian,” said lawyer Christian Paula of the Patka Foundation, which provides legal advice for around 10 same-sex couples seeking to marry in the country. “It recognizes that human rights must be for all people without discrimination.” said Paula.
The four dissenting judges argued…”In order to recognize same-sex marriage, constitutional reform would have to be debated in the National Assembly.”
Gustavo Medina, a former Supreme Court president, told AFP that Ecuadoran authorities were obliged to abide by decisions of the Constitutional Court, which were “binding and mandatory.”
Article by: Paul Goldberg, Staff Writer
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