Same-sex marriage in Brazil


Same-sex marriage in Brazil has been legal since 16 May 2013, following a National Justice Council decision, which orders notaries of every state to perform same-sex marriages.
Same-sex unions had already been legally recognized since 2004. Following a ruling of the Supreme Court of Brazil, so-called stable unions have been available for same-sex couples since May 2011. These unions are granted most of the rights of marriages, including adoption, welfare benefits, pension, inheritance tax, income tax, social security, health benefits, immigration, joint property ownership, hospital and prison visitation, IVF and surrogacy.
This decision paved the way for future legislation on same-sex matrimonial rights. Before the nationwide legislation, the states of Alagoas, Bahia, Ceará, Espírito Santo, the Federal District, Mato Grosso do Sul, Paraíba, Paraná, Piauí, Rondônia, Santa Catarina, São Paulo, and Sergipe, as well as the city of Santa Rita do Sapucaí, had already allowed same-sex marriages and several unions were converted into full marriages by state judges. In Rio de Janeiro, same-sex couples could also marry but only if local judges agreed with their request.
On 14 May 2013, the Justice's National Council of Brazil legalized same-sex marriage in the entire country in a 14-1 vote by issuing a ruling that orders all civil registers of the country to perform same-sex marriages and convert any existing civil union into a marriage, if the couple wish so. Joaquim Barbosa, president of the Council of Justice and the Supreme Federal Court, said that notaries cannot continue to refuse to "perform a civil wedding or the conversion of a stable civil union into a marriage between people of the same sex". The ruling was published on 15 May and took effect on 16 May 2013.

Civil unions

In 2004, the first case of recognition of same-sex unions in Brazil occurred with a binational Englishman and a Brazilian. Their relationship was recognized in the form of a common-law marriage, which until then, was only granted to opposite-sex couples. The couple had lived together for fourteen years in the Brazilian city of Curitiba.
In 2010, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs authorized Brazilian diplomats to request a diplomatic or service passport and stay visa for same-sex partners. The decision, which includes same-sex and opposite-sex partners, was announced internally to embassies and consulates in over 200 countries. According to the Foreign Ministry, the measure must ensure that employees register their same-sex partners to secure their right to stay outside the country. Now, with the grant of diplomatic passports, it is easier for the partner to obtain a residence permit.
Also in 2010, the state-owned Infraero began to recognize stable unions between same-sex couples for the purposes of granting benefits. The change came with the signing of the new Collective Work Agreement. To receive the benefit, the union must be registered through the public notary.
On 5 May 2011, Brazil's Supreme Federal Court ruled that civil unions must be allowed throughout the country. The decision was approved by 10-0; one judge abstained because he had previously spoken publicly in favor of same-sex unions when he was attorney general. The ruling resulted in stable partnerships for same-sex couples having the same financial and social rights enjoyed by those in heterosexual relationships. Civil unions of same-sex couples are guaranteed the same 112 rights as marriages of opposite-sex couples. Brazil's High Court ruling came in response to two lawsuits, one filed by the Rio de Janeiro State Government in 2008 and another in 2009 by the Public Ministry. Same-sex couples can officially register their relationships as a civil union by proving that they have a shared bank account or live at the same address, etc.
On 17 June 2011, a judge from Goiânia, Jeronymo Pedro Villas Boas, annulled the first civil union that occurred in the country, between Liorcino Mendes and Odilio Torres, and also ordered all notaries in Goiânia to not issue civil union licenses anymore. Villas Boas, who is also a church pastor of the Assembleia de Deus, claimed that same-sex unions are unconstitutional. On 21 June, another judge, Beatriz Figueiredo Franco, cancelled Villas Boas' decision, making the union valid again. Concerned, Liorcino Mendes and Odilio Torres signed again another civil union in Rio de Janeiro.
On 7 June 2013, the Brazilian Air Force recognized the stable union of a sergeant and his partner after he presented a notarized deed documenting their relationship; the Air Force did not comment on the recognition, and could not confirm if the relationship was the first same-sex union certified by the branch. On 8 August 2013, Judge Elio Siqueira of the 5th region TRF ruled on appeal that the Brazilian Army must recognize the civil union of a service member and his same-sex partner, and must also accord a military spousal pension to the partner. It marked the first time that a state-recognized same-sex union was recognized by the Army.

Same-sex marriage

is governed by federal rather than state law and involves the issuing of a marriage certificate by a notary. In May 2011, the Supreme Federal Court decided that the present marriage law already did allow for both opposite and same-sex marriages. Based on this decision, many states amended their guidances for issuing marriage certificates to implement the Supreme Court decision and allow same-sex marriage through a notary. In other states, notaries who preside over marriage licenses and perform marriages are required by judicial order to provide such services to same-sex couples.

National Justice Council ruling

On 14 May 2013, the Justice's National Council of Brazil legalized same-sex marriage in the entire country in a 14–1 vote, via a ruling that orders all civil registers of the country to perform same-sex marriages and to convert any existing civil unions into marriages if the couple so desires. Joaquim Barbosa, president of the Council of Justice and the Supreme Federal Court, said in the decision that notaries cannot continue to refuse to "perform a civil wedding or the conversion of a stable civil union into a marriage between persons of the same sex."
On 21 May 2013, the Social Christian Party lodged an appeal of the National Council's decision with the Supreme Federal Court of Brazil. The party alleged that the Council had committed an abuse of power and that legalising same-sex marriage was a matter exclusively for the National Congress to decide. The appeal did not affect the Council's original decision in favour of same-sex marriage. On 30 May 2013, the Supreme Federal Court rejected the appeal on technical grounds, stating that the PSC had used the wrong form of appeal. The Court held that the National Council's decision could only be challenged through a "direct action for unconstitutionality" rather than an action for injunction. On 6 June 2013, the PSC re-lodged the appeal. On 28 August 2013, the Procuradoria Geral da República forwarded to the Supreme Court an opinion in favor of same-sex marriage in Brazil. Given the National Council ruling was issued by the Council's president, who was also the Chief Justice of the Supreme Federal Court, it is unlikely the latter court would ever overturn the Council's ruling.

Proposals in the National Congress

A Brazilian legislative commission for human rights recommended in October 2013 a measure that would ensure that religious bodies would not be required to solemnize same-sex marriages. The proposal would allow a religious body to decline to officiate at marriages of those "who violate its values, doctrines, and beliefs". The proposal was to have been brought forward in Brazil's National Congress if it was approved by a constitutional committee, though no such change was made prior to the 2014 elections.
In March 2017, the Constitution and Justice Commission of the Brazilian Senate preliminary approved a bill modifying the national Civil Code to recognize stable unions between two persons of the same sex and enabling the conversion of that union into marriage. The proposal replaces the definition of the family entity, which goes from "stable union between man and woman" to "stable union between two people", and inserts the provision saying that marriage can be performed between two people, thus replacing the article restricting it to opposite-sex couples. On 3 May, the commission gave its final approval to the bill. The bill would need to be approved by the full Senate and Chamber of Deputies before becoming law. The bill was not advanced by either legislative chamber prior to the 2018 elections.

Timeline prior to 2013 ruling

Individual cases

In several individual cases, marriage licenses were granted, often through the decision of a judge. Notable cases include:
The 2011 Supreme Court decision gave rise to several states explicitly altering their procedures enabling same-sex couples to marry in a manner that is bureaucratically identical to opposite-sex couples. Those states are listed below:
In 2018, 9,520 same-sex couples married in Brazil. 59.7% of these marriages were performed in the Southeast Region, 15.1% in the Northeast Region, 14.4% in the South Region, 7.4% in the Central-West Region and 3.4% in the North Region. 4,100 same-sex marriages were performed in São Paulo, 737 in Minas Gerais, 723 in Rio de Janeiro, 480 in Rio Grande do Sul, 458 in Paraná, 429 in Santa Catarina, 391 in Pernambuco, 330 in Ceará, 288 in Bahia, 274 in the Federal District, 218 in Goiás, 201 in Pará, 166 in Mato Grosso do Sul, 129 in Espírito Santo, 114 in Rio Grande do Norte, 105 in Paraíba, 95 in Alagoas, 49 in Amazonas, 46 in Mato Grosso, 45 in Piauí, 43 in Sergipe, 26 in Maranhão, 24 in Rondônia, 18 in Acre, 18 in Tocantins, 8 in Amapá and 5 in Roraima.
2018 saw a significant rise in marriages, particularly in the later months of the year, with November seeing a 68% rise compared to 2017.

Religious performance

In June 2018, the Anglican Episcopal Church of Brazil officially changed its canons to permit same-sex marriages. The move was supported by 57 Synod members, while 3 voted against. The Church joined other Anglican provinces, including the American, Scottish and Canadian branches of the Anglican Communion, in performing same-sex marriages in its churches.

Public opinion

According to a Pew Research Center survey, conducted between 4 November 2013 and 14 February 2014, 45% of Brazilians supported same-sex marriage, 48% were opposed.
According to Ibope, support for same-sex couples having the same rights as different-sex couples in Brazil in 2017 was 49%, with 38% opposing. Support was higher among women, young people, people with higher educational levels and Brazilians living in the South region of the country.
The 2017 AmericasBarometer showed that 52% of Brazilians supported same-sex marriage.