Colombia: In a decision of its first kind Colombia’s constitutional court opened the door for same-sex couples to legally adopt children. Overturning the previous ruling that banned same-sex partners from adopting unless one of the pair was a biological parent of the child.
In a ruling on Wednesday, the court instructed adoption agencies not to discriminate against gay men and lesbians.
Colombia’s Catholic Church immediately denounced the decision as violating the rights of children and going against the wishes of the majority of Colombians who, according to polls, overwhelmingly reject giving same-sex couple’s equal rights to marriage and adoption.
The ruling brought cheers from gay rights advocates in the largely socially conservative Andean country, while opponents promised to appeal the decision.
Although same-sex couples in Colombia can get legal unions similar to civil marriages, Congress rejected a 2013 proposal to fully legalize gay marriage.