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EQUAL MARRIAGE in Cuenca

8 years ago

The province where Cuenca is located has now taken the same symbolic step that helped establish equal marriage in the USA.

In 2014 Ecuador granted civil union rights to gay couples. Does anyone know why the politician quoted below says Ecuador does not have civil union rights for gay couples?
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This province in Ecuador has just passed 'symbolic gay marriage'
And it undermines Ecuador's consitutional ban on equal marriage

Maurizio Costanzo

The capital of Azuay, Cuenca

6 March 2016

by Jack Flanagan

Azuay province in southern Ecuador unanimously voted in favour of a ‘symbolic gesture’ for gay marriage on March 4.

Various heads of towns and cities in the province came together and agreed on a form of legally-recognized union same-sex couples can register for, but which will not be the same as a marriage.

The prefect of Azuay, Paúl Carrasco, said: ‘Ecuador does not recognise civil unions between same-sex people.

‘[However], the Provincial Government of Azuay will recognize, as a symbolic gesture, LGBTI marriage registration, for couples who want to register their partnership.’

The news is especially surprising given Ecuador’s constitutional ban on same sex marriage. De facto gay partnerships do exist in Ecuador but without adoption rights.

To date, only three South American countries have equal marriage: Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay.

Addressing the controversial decision, Carrasco said: ‘The Azuay prefecture will not… be acting illegally. [The decision] is a symbolic tool in the interests of human rights in Azuay, based on the recognition of sexual diversity and enhancing rights.’

Speaking on ‘behalf of the LGBTI’ community, according to newspaper El Comercio, Wilmer González said: ‘Azuay is giving priority to the rights of everybody.

‘Now we can talk about a marriage for the LGBT population. Though it is symbolic, today marks an important milestone with this ordinance.’

William Russell

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EQUAL MARRIAGE in Cuenca

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