Newly married couple Ana Paula and Juliana (L) react at what was billed as the world's largest communal gay wedding on December 8, 2013 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 130 couples were married at the event which was held at the Court of Justice in downtown Rio. In May, Brazil became the third country in Latin America to effectively approve same-sex marriage via a court ruling, but a final law has yet to be passed. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
A total of 130 couples said “I do” in a mass wedding at Rio de Janeiro’s Superior Court of Justice, marking the city’s first gay civil marriages. In mid-May, Brazilian courts determined that public offices that oversee marriages cannot reject gay couples, even though Brazil’s national congress has passed no law on the matter.Some public offices had already been accepting marriage applications from homosexual couples, while others denied them.An emotional Viviane Soares Lessa de Faria, 38, smiled at her partner and told news site G1 “I’ve dreamed of marrying her since I met her.”
Her wife’s 29-year-old son was the couple’s best man.
For Giuseppe Laricchia, 21, marrying his boyfriend was about guaranteeing rights.
“We need to have equality compared with heterosexual couples,” he said.
Judge Cristina Gaulia said the mass ceremony marked a “political victory.”
Civil unions between gay couples were recognized two years ago by the Supreme Court, which granted gay spouses the same rights as heterosexual spouses.
A couple jokes around before getting married at what was billed as the world’s largest communal gay wedding on December 8, 2013 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 130 couples were married at the event which was held at the Court of Justice in downtown Rio. In May, Brazil became the third country in Latin America to effectively approve same-sex marriage via a court ruling, but a final law has yet to be passed. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)Joyce and Gabrieli (R) hold hands at what was billed as the world’s largest communal gay wedding on December 8, 2013 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 130 couples were married at the event which was held at the Court of Justice in downtown Rio. In May, Brazil became the third country in Latin America to effectively approve same-sex marriage via a court ruling, but a final law has yet to be passed. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)A couple (R) jokes around before getting married at what was billed as the world’s largest communal gay wedding on December 8, 2013 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 130 couples were married at the event which was held at the Court of Justice in downtown Rio. In May, Brazil became the third country in Latin America to effectively approve same-sex marriage via a court ruling, but a final law has yet to be passed. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)Couple Emmanuela and Romilda (R) pose before marrying at what was billed as the world’s largest communal gay wedding on December 8, 2013 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 130 couples were married at the event which was held at the Court of Justice in downtown Rio. In May, Brazil became the third country in Latin America to effectively approve same-sex marriage via a court ruling, but a final law has yet to be passed. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)Newly married couples line up to be photographed on stage at what was billed as the world’s largest communal gay wedding on December 8, 2013 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 130 couples were married at the event which was held at the Court of Justice in downtown Rio. In May, Brazil became the third country in Latin America to effectively approve same-sex marriage via a court ruling, but a final law has yet to be passed. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – DECEMBER 08: Newly married couple Nelzete (L) and Danisa, together for three years, pose at what was billed as the world’s largest communal gay wedding on December 8, 2013 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 130 couples were married at the event which was held at the Court of Justice in downtown Rio. In May, Brazil became the third country in Latin America to effectively approve same-sex marriage via a court ruling, but a final law has yet to be passed. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)Newly married couple Talita (R) and Monica pose at what was billed as the world’s largest communal gay wedding on December 8, 2013 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 130 couples were married at the event which was held at the Court of Justice in downtown Rio. In May, Brazil became the third country in Latin America to effectively approve same-sex marriage via a court ruling, but a final law has yet to be passed. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)Newly married couple Emmanuela and Romilda (LOWER R) kiss at what was billed as the world’s largest communal gay wedding on December 8, 2013 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 130 couples were married at the event which was held at the Court of Justice in downtown Rio. In May, Brazil became the third country in Latin America to effectively approve same-sex marriage via a court ruling, but a final law has yet to be passed. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)Newly married couple Ana Paula and Juliana (R) react at what was billed as the world’s largest communal gay wedding on December 8, 2013 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 130 couples were married at the event which was held at the Court of Justice in downtown Rio. In May, Brazil became the third country in Latin America to effectively approve same-sex marriage via a court ruling, but a final law has yet to be passed. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)Newly married woman Ana Paula (LEFT C) is hugged at what was billed as the world’s largest communal gay wedding on December 8, 2013 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 130 couples were married at the event which was held at the Court of Justice in downtown Rio. In May, Brazil became the third country in Latin America to effectively approve same-sex marriage via a court ruling, but a final law has yet to be passed. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)Couples wait to marry as onlookers gather at what was billed as the world’s largest communal gay wedding on December 8, 2013 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 130 couples were married at the event which was held at the Court of Justice in downtown Rio. In May, Brazil became the third country in Latin America to effectively approve same-sex marriage via a court ruling, but a final law has yet to be passed. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)Gabrielle Costa (R) and Joyce Xavier gesture during their wedding ceremony at the Court of Justice of the State of Rio de Janeiro in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on December 8, 2013. 130 gay couples are getting married in the first massive wedding ceremony since the first gay marriage in Rio de Janeiro in 2011. AFP PHOTO / YASUYOSHI CHIBA (Photo credit should read YASUYOSHI CHIBA/AFP/Getty Images)Claudio Nascimento (R), an LGBT activist of Rio de Janeiro State, poses with his partner Joao Silva after the wedding ceremony at the Court of Justice of the State of Rio de Janeiro in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on December 8, 2013. 130 gay couples are getting married in the first massive wedding ceremony since the first gay marriage in Rio de Janeiro in 2011. AFP PHOTO / YASUYOSHI CHIBA (Photo credit should read YASUYOSHI CHIBA/AFP/Getty Images)Claudio Nascimento (R), an LGBT activist of Rio de Janeiro State, poses with his partner Joao Silva after the wedding ceremony at the Court of Justice of the State of Rio de Janeiro in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on December 8, 2013. 130 gay couples are getting married in the first massive wedding ceremony since the first gay marriage in Rio de Janeiro in 2011. AFP PHOTO / YASUYOSHI CHIBA (Photo credit should read YASUYOSHI CHIBA/AFP/Getty Images)The father of a bride wears a rainbow flag during the wedding ceremony at the Court of Justice of the State of Rio de Janeiro in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on December 8, 2013. 130 gay couples are getting married in the first massive wedding ceremony since the first gay marriage in Rio de Janeiro in 2011. AFP PHOTO / YASUYOSHI CHIBA (Photo credit should read YASUYOSHI CHIBA/AFP/Getty Images)Joyce and Gabrieli (L) make an adjustment before marrying at what was billed as the world’s largest communal gay wedding on December 8, 2013 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 130 couples were married at the event which was held at the Court of Justice in downtown Rio. In May, Brazil became the third country in Latin America to effectively approve same-sex marriage via a court ruling, but a final law has yet to be passed. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)Couple Ingrid (L) and Tamires embrace before marrying at what was billed as the world’s largest communal gay wedding on December 8, 2013 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 130 couples were married at the event which was held at the Court of Justice in downtown Rio. In May, Brazil became the third country in Latin America to effectively approve same-sex marriage via a court ruling, but a final law has yet to be passed. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)Couple Marcos Lopes (L) and Josue dos Santos kiss before marrying at what was billed as the world’s largest communal gay wedding on December 8, 2013 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 130 couples were married at the event which was held at the Court of Justice in downtown Rio. In May, Brazil became the third country in Latin America to effectively approve same-sex marriage via a court ruling, but a final law has yet to be passed. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)Claudio Nascimento, an LGBT activist of Rio de Janeiro State, reacts after his speech after the wedding ceremony at the Court of Justice of the State of Rio de Janeiro in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on December 8, 2013. 130 gay couples are getting married in the first massive wedding ceremony since the first gay marriage in Rio de Janeiro in 2011. AFP PHOTO / YASUYOSHI CHIBA (Photo credit should read YASUYOSHI CHIBA/AFP/Getty Images)Gabrielle Costa (R) and Joyce Xavier gesture during their wedding ceremony at the Court of Justice of the State of Rio de Janeiro in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on December 8, 2013. 130 gay couples are getting married in the first massive wedding ceremony since the first gay marriage in Rio de Janeiro in 2011. AFP PHOTO / YASUYOSHI CHIBA (Photo credit should read YASUYOSHI CHIBA/AFP/Getty Images)Joyce and Gabrieli (R) kiss before marrying at what was billed as the world’s largest communal gay wedding on December 8, 2013 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 130 couples were married at the event which was held at the Court of Justice in downtown Rio. In May, Brazil became the third country in Latin America to effectively approve same-sex marriage via a court ruling, but a final law has yet to be passed. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)Couple Renato (L) and Ronald, together nine months, pose before marrying at what was billed as the world’s largest communal gay wedding on December 8, 2013 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 130 couples were married at the event which was held at the Court of Justice in downtown Rio. In May, Brazil became the third country in Latin America to effectively approve same-sex marriage via a court ruling, but a final law has yet to be passed. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)Couple Marcia (L) and Jaqueline kiss Marcia’s son Gustavo while posing before marrying at what was billed as the world’s largest communal gay wedding on December 8, 2013 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 130 couples were married at the event which was held at the Court of Justice in downtown Rio. In May, Brazil became the third country in Latin America to effectively approve same-sex marriage via a court ruling, but a final law has yet to be passed. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)Newly married couple Joyce and Gabrieli (R) react at what was billed as the world’s largest communal gay wedding on December 8, 2013 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 130 couples were married at the event which was held at the Court of Justice in downtown Rio. In May, Brazil became the third country in Latin America to effectively approve same-sex marriage via a court ruling, but a final law has yet to be passed. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)Couple Alex (L) and Jorge pose before marrying at what was billed as the world’s largest communal gay wedding on December 8, 2013 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 130 couples were married at the event which was held at the Court of Justice in downtown Rio. In May, Brazil became the third country in Latin America to effectively approve same-sex marriage via a court ruling, but a final law has yet to be passed. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)Couple Roberta Felitte and Karina Soares, together five years, pose before marrying at what was billed as the world’s largest communal gay wedding on December 8, 2013 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 130 couples were married at the event which was held at the Court of Justice in downtown Rio. In May, Brazil became the third country in Latin America to effectively approve same-sex marriage via a court ruling, but a final law has yet to be passed. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)Couple Roberta Felitte and Karina Soares, together five years, kiss while posing before marrying at what was billed as the world’s largest communal gay wedding on December 8, 2013 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 130 couples were married at the event which was held at the Court of Justice in downtown Rio. In May, Brazil became the third country in Latin America to effectively approve same-sex marriage via a court ruling, but a final law has yet to be passed. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)Couple Marcel (R) and Geraldo sit with their daughter Kevellen, 8, before marrying at what was billed as the world’s largest communal gay wedding on December 8, 2013 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 130 couples were married at the event which was held at the Court of Justice in downtown Rio. In May, Brazil became the third country in Latin America to effectively approve same-sex marriage via a court ruling, but a final law has yet to be passed. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)Newly married couple Joyce and Gabrieli (R) react at what was billed as the world’s largest communal gay wedding on December 8, 2013 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 130 couples were married at the event which was held at the Court of Justice in downtown Rio. In May, Brazil became the third country in Latin America to effectively approve same-sex marriage via a court ruling, but a final law has yet to be passed. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)Couple Claudia and Giselle (R), together 7 years, pose after marrying at what was billed as the world’s largest communal gay wedding on December 8, 2013 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 130 couples were married at the event which was held at the Court of Justice in downtown Rio. In May, Brazil became the third country in Latin America to effectively approve same-sex marriage via a court ruling, but a final law has yet to be passed. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)Newly married couple Ana Paula and Juliana (L) react at what was billed as the world’s largest communal gay wedding on December 8, 2013 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 130 couples were married at the event which was held at the Court of Justice in downtown Rio. In May, Brazil became the third country in Latin America to effectively approve same-sex marriage via a court ruling, but a final law has yet to be passed. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)A couple kisses before getting married at what was billed as the world’s largest communal gay wedding on December 8, 2013 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 130 couples were married at the event which was held at the Court of Justice in downtown Rio. In May, Brazil became the third country in Latin America to effectively approve same-sex marriage via a court ruling, but a final law has yet to be passed. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)Couple Ingrid (L CENTER) and Tamires embrace before marrying at what was billed as the world’s largest communal gay wedding on December 8, 2013 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 130 couples were married at the event which was held at the Court of Justice in downtown Rio. In May, Brazil became the third country in Latin America to effectively approve same-sex marriage via a court ruling, but a final law has yet to be passed. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)Newly married couple Ana Cristina Ribero Martins (R) and Claudia Almeida Martins, together 23 years, pose at what was billed as the world’s largest communal gay wedding on December 8, 2013 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 130 couples were married at the event which was held at the Court of Justice in downtown Rio. In May, Brazil became the third country in Latin America to effectively approve same-sex marriage via a court ruling, but a final law has yet to be passed. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)A couple jokes around before getting married at what was billed as the world’s largest communal gay wedding on December 8, 2013 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 130 couples were married at the event which was held at the Court of Justice in downtown Rio. In May, Brazil became the third country in Latin America to effectively approve same-sex marriage via a court ruling, but a final law has yet to be passed. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
