Colombia high court rules in favor of same-sex marriage

Colombia’s highest court on Thursday ruled that same-sex couples have the right to marry.

Colombia’s constitutional court issued its 6-3 ruling nearly nine months after it held a hearing on whether to extend nuptials to gays and lesbians.

Colombia Diversa, a Colombian LGBT advocacy group, in a press release said the ruling “established that marriage is the only legal institution that addresses the lack of protection for same-sex couples and there is no basis to deny it.” The landmark decision also says that judges and notaries must perform civil marriages for same-sex couples who request them.

“Same-sex couples can access the institution of civil marriage with the same rights, benefits and the same responsibilities that this institution affords to heterosexual couples thanks to the Constitutional Court of Colombia,” said Colombia Diversa.

Angélica Lozano, a lesbian who was elected to the Colombian Congress in 2014, also celebrated Thursday’s ruling. “Equality is unstoppable,” she said in a tweet she posted to her Twitter page.

Read the full article on the Washington Blade now.