Ecuador’s highest court on Friday heard oral arguments in a case that could extend marriage rights to same-sex couples in the South American country.
Judges on Ecuador’s Constitutional Court considered the case of Efraín Soria and his partner, Javier Benalcázar, a gay couple from the country’s capital of Quito who tried to apply for a marriage license last May.
The Inter-American Court of Human Rights in January 2018 issued a landmark ruling that recognizes same-sex marriage and other rights in the Western Hemisphere. A court in Ecuador’s Pichincha province in which Quito is located asked the Constitutional Court to rule in the couple’s case.
Danilo Manzano Navas, director of Diálogo Diverso, which is also based in the Ecuadorian capital, was among the activists who were outside the Constitutional Court on Friday during oral arguments in the case that could set a legal precedent for LGBTI rights in the country. Read more via Washington Blade
Argumentos en contra y a favor del matrimonio civil igualitario se escucharon en la Corte Constitucional
Muy emocionado, casi sin poder hablar, Efraín Soria, activista Glbti de Fundación Equidad, se presentó ante los jueces de la Corte Constitucional. En un primer momento bebió un par de bocados de agua pero, las lágrimas no le permitieron expresarse. Sollozando, en una segunda oportunidad, reiteró que no solo busca la posibilidad de legalizar la relación con su pareja de 12 años sino garantizar que en el país todos pueden tener garantizados sus derechos.
"No es un capricho, el matrimonio civil igualitario no es un privilegio, buscamos ser tratados como cualquier otro ciudadano en Ecuador". Desde las 09:32 hasta alrededor de las 14:00, los jueces constitucionales escucharon los argumentos a favor y en contra de que en el país se aplique la Opinión Consultiva CC-24/17 de la Corte IDH, que establece derechos más favorables para la población de Gais, lesbianas, bisexuales, transexuales e intersexo (Glbti). Entre otros la opción de contraer matrimonio a personas del mismo sexo, sin reformas a la Constitución o a la Ley Orgánica de Identidad y Datos Civiles y Código Civil.
"Buscamos una cultura de paz, en donde todos seamos tratados por igual. Trabajo 18 años en una organización que defiende los derechos Glbti y antes de ayer recibí a una persona de 67 años, vive solo, está abandonado, eso no puede seguir pasando en este país y no es que con el matrimonio civil igualitario se arreglará esta situación, pero ayudará mucho. Solo buscamos es la libertad y la felicidad, el Estado tiene la obligación de protegernos". Read more via El Comercio
Arguments against and in favor of equal civil marriage were heard in the Constitutional Court
Very moved, almost unable to speak, Efraín Soria , activist Glbti of Fundación Equidad , appeared before the judges of the Constitutional Court . At first he drank a couple of mouthfuls of water, but the tears did not allow him to express himself.
Sobbing, on a second occasion, he reiterated that not only seeks the possibility of legalizing the relationship with his partner of 12 years but to ensure that everyone in the country can have their rights guaranteed . "It is not a whim , civil marriage is not a privilege , we seek to be treated like any other citizen in Ecuador."
From 09:32 to around 2:00 pm, the constitutional judges heard the arguments for and against the application of Advisory Opinion CC-24/17 of the Inter -American Court of Human Rights , which establishes more favorable rights for the population of Gais, lesbians, bisexuals, transsexuals and intersex ( Glbti ). Among others, the option to marry people of the same sex, without amendments to the Constitution or the Organic Law of Identity and Civil Data and Civil Code. "We seek a culture of peace, where we are all treated equally, I work 18 years in an organization that defends the rights of Glbti and before yesterday I received a person of 67 years, lives alone, is abandoned, that can not continue to happen in this country and it is not that with the civil marriage will fix this situation, but it will help a lot. We only look for freedom and happiness , the State has an obligation to protect us.”