Colombia’s Constitutional Court paves way for same-sex marriage

In a landmark ruling, Colombia’s Constitutional Court has effectively approved same-sex marriage, following approval of adoption by same-sex parents in November.
The decision is one of the most socially progressive steps the predominantly Catholic nation has taken.
In 2011, the Court recognized that same-sex couples constituted families and gave Congress a deadline by which to pass a law legalizing gay marriage.
Thursday’s decision means that despite expected challenges in the courts, notary publics or judges in Colombia can no longer refuse to marry same-sex couples.
The judges’ decision, which has been hailed by the gay community in Colombia, follows in the footsteps of Uruguay, Argentina and Brazil, and took the judges weeks of deliberation.

Fuente: http://elpais.com/elpais/2016/04/08/inenglish/1460123003_683477.html