Ecuador Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage Equality

The Constitutional Court of Ecuador in South America on Wednesday, June 12 officially legalized and recognized same-sex marriage equality for LGBTQIA+ couples in a 5 to 4 legal decision made by its nine judges. Before the ruling, civil unions between queer couples were permitted and recognized, but with fewer rights such as limited inheritance and estate laws.

Ecuador now joins other Latin American countries that have legalized same-sex marriage equality including Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Colombia, Costa Rica, and more than 30 states in Mexico. While Ecuador enjoys other queer rights such as anti-discrimination laws and a ban on conversion therapy, other issues such as joint-couple adoption.