Colombia High Court paves the way for same-sex marriage

The highest court in Colombia has paved the way for same sex marriage, after voting against a proposed ruling which would have defined marriage as only being between a man and a woman.

Magistrates from the constitutional court voted six to three against the ruling, and decided it was up to congress, not the court, to decide on same sex marriage. By removing any constitutional uncertainty, they have effectively legalised the measure, which is supported by President Juan Manuel Santos’ government.

Handing down the ruling, Magistrate Alberto Rojas, said, “All human beings … have the fundamental right to be married with no discrimination.”

Many Colombians shared their joy about marriage equality on social media.

Colombia legalized Marriage Equality today and I could not be more proud of my country. ✊ #MatrimonioIgualitario pic.twitter.com/GoRHpXhOS2

— anime (@calliopesloan) April 8, 2016

My beautiful country of colombia finally approves of same sex marriage… This is revolutionary!! ❤️

— suavemente (@angeljrarrieta) April 7, 2016

So proud of my country. It has approved marriage between same-sex couples. ❤ #colombia pic.twitter.com/8TlRkKU5GK

— xiomara (@sangricia) April 7, 2016

Colombia is a largely Catholic, conservative country, but this tolerance to LGBT people is not unexpected. Civil unions are already permitted, offering same sex couples certain rights.

In June 2015, Colombia gave people the right to determine their own gender, and in a landmark ruling in November, they legalised adoption by same sex couples.

The country could now become the fourth in Latin America to introduce same sex marriage, following Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay.

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