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President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva gives gay marriage the thumbs up
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva
Brazilââ¬â¢s President supports gay marriage
"Earlier this year President Lula launched a conference to promote gay equality and criminalisation of homophobia"
President of Brazil, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva revealed earlier today that he is in favour of same-sex unions.
Talking to a TV station he issued his support for civil unions while simultaneously criticising politicians who oppose gay rights. He said: "We must stop this hypocrisy because we know they exist.
"There are men living with men, women living with women, and many times they live extraordinarily well.
He continued:
"One thing that amazes me is why politicians who are against do not refuse their votes, why Brazil does not refuse their income tax.
"The important thing is for them to be Brazilian citizens, for them to be committed to the nation. I support the civil union."
Earlier this year President Lula launched a conference to promote gay equality and criminalisation of homophobia. This is the first conference of its kind set up by any Brazilian leader.
A previous proposal that would see a nationwide law issuing same-sex couples the same rights as married heterosexuals has stalled in the past, leading several states to set up their own regulations.
Homosexuality in Brazil has been legal since 1823, however homophobia remains a problem across the country, which has a population of 184 million.
Presidents Lula remains positive about the future of his civil union proposition though, stating that he aims to "do all that is possible so that the criminalisation of homophobia and the civil union may be approved."
