A lesbian couple that has been together since 2003 exchanged vows Monday in Portugal's first-ever same-sex marriage. The couple, Teresa Pires and Helena Paixao, were married at a registration office in Lisbon. The ceremony (which lasted approximately 15 minutes) was the first to be conducted since Portugal's president ratified the January 2010 bill into a law allowing same-sex marriages.
Both women are vocal activists for LGBT equality, and have been campaigning for the right to marry since their initial application for a marriage license was refused in 2006. "This is a great victory, a dream come true," said Pires. "Now we're a family, that's the important thing." With their marriage now a reality, the couple have vowed to continue to fight for LGBT equality, including the right to adopt.
With the passage of the bill, Portugal becomes the sixth country in Europe to let same-sex couples wed, joining Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and Norway. In addition, five U.S. states and Washington, D.C., have legalized same-sex marriage, as have Canada and South Africa.
Comments
Kudos to Portugal,other EU countries, CT and most of New England, Iowa, and DC for supporting marriage equality.
Onward, Joe Mustich, Justice of the Peace,
Washington, Connecticut, USA
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