Evangelical Christians on Wednesday
staged a second rally to protest a legal ruling which effectively
legalizes gay marriage in Brazil.
Roughly 6,000 people rallied in
Brasilia, the federal capital of Brazil, to defend “the
traditional family” and protest against a proposed anti-homophobia
bill they say limits freedom of expression, the AFP reported.
Pastor Silas Malafaia of the Assembly
of God church organized Wednesday's March for the Family as well a
100,000-people rally which took place last month in Rio de Janeiro.
“This is a a historic day,” Fad
Faraj, pastor of Brasilia's Faith Ministry, told
the AFP. “We will not allow this country to sink into
immorality.”
The ruling, handed down last month by
the National Council of Justice, says a notary public cannot deny a
gay couple's request for a marriage license. Claiming that the
ruling was unconstitutional because Congress has not legalized
marriage equality, Brazil's conservative Social Christian Party has
legally challenged the decision.
Brazil is also considering a measure
which would impose punishments for anti-gay rhetoric.