The Ecuadorian government has denied a
marriage license to a second gay couple.
Santiago Vinces and Fernando Saltos on
Tuesday were joined in Guayaquil by dozens of supporters waving
placards as they marched to the civil registry office to apply for a
marriage license. Actress Erika Velez served as witness for the
couple.
While the government had 8 days to
decide on their application, Vinces
and Saltos were told the following day that they do not meet the
qualifications to marry.
Under the Ecuador Constitution ratified
in 2008, gay and lesbian couples are recognized with civil unions,
granting them all of the rights of marriage except for joint
adoption. But marriage is reserved for heterosexual couples.
Pamela Troya and Gabriela Correa in
August made headlines when they applied for a marriage license.
After the civil registry office denied their petition, the couple
appealed the decision. Vinces and Saltos said they will also
challenge the government's decision to deny them a marriage license.
(Related: Lesbian
couple in Ecuador challenge marriage ban.)
Harsh comments in May against allowing
gay couples to marry from President Rafael Correa provoked an
international backlash and led to the emergence of a campaign to
legalize marriage for gay couples in Ecuador.
(Related: Ecuador's
Rafael Correa opposes transgender bill as it could lead to gay
marriage.)