Brit sets gay union precedent in Peru

By Staff Writer, PinkNews.co.uk • December 11, 2006 - 0:00

Although the legal union between two adults of the same sex is not permitted in Peru, the couple was able to legally validate their partnership under British law

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Peru held its first gay marriage ceremony last week, setting a precedent for the South American nation.

News site LivinginPeru.com reports that a British citizen and his Peruvian partner formalised their union under British law in a ceremony held at the British Embassy in Lima.

Although the legal union between two adults of the same sex is not permitted in Peru, the couple was able to legally validate their partnership under British law.

Peter Goad, a British citizen, and Marco Bretoneche, his Peruvian partner, both 42 years old, were wed last Thursday.

"Let this marriage serve as a precedent to Peru and let our union be recognised under the eyes of Peruvian law. We have the right to happiness, respect, and legal equality," stated Bretoneche.

The British Embassy requested clearance from the Peruvian government prior to the ceremony, to which the Peruvian authorities gave the green light reminding the British authorities that the ceremony has no legal merit under Peruvian law.

Britain's Civil Partnership Act, which became law in 2004, permits the union of two individuals of the same sex.

Mexico City, the Argentine capital of Buenos Aires and the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul are the only places in Latin America where same-sex civil unions are legalised.

According to the Washington Post, lawmakers in Costa Rica and Colombia have debated, but not passed, similar measures.

The Post reports that the large Mexican state of Coahuila, which borders Texas, is now considering a gay union law.

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