Colombia's High Court Rejects Gay Marriage Challenge
PUBLISHED: NOVEMBER 14, 2010
Colombia's Constitutional Court on Thursday rejected a lawsuit challenging
the nation's marriage laws that if successful would have legalized gay marriage,Telesur reported.
The court voted 5-4 to dismiss a lawsuit brought by 2 attorneys for
a change in the country's laws that would remove the definition of
marriage as between a man and a woman.
The court said the request, filed in September 2009, was flawed and
presented in an irregular manner.
The court's president, however, added that “nothing is final.”
“It is possible to insist on civil marriage for same sex couples in front
of the court,” Judge Mauricio Gonzalez Cuervo said, “but with more
detailed arguments because this issue will play a vital role within
Colombia's constitution.”
Gay activists on Friday said they would protest the decision.
A recent poll found that a large percentage (63%) of residents of
Bogota, the country's capital and largest city with over eight million
residents, favor giving gay and lesbian couples the right to marry.
Mexico City approved Latin America's first gay marriage law in
December and lawmakers in Argentina quickly followed its lead,
legalizing gay marriage recognition throughout the country.
Other Latin American countries, including Chile, Peru, Paraguay and
Uruguay, are considering laws that recognize the unions of gay couples.
BY ON TOP MAGAZINE STAFF
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