Brazil Accepts 3-Person Civil Union

Man and two women have lived together 3 years
By John Johnson,  Newser Staff
Suggested by Guvner
Posted Aug 28, 2012 5:55 PM CDT
Brazil Accepts 3-Person Civil Union
   (Shutterstock)

A new frontier in civil unions: A notary public in Brazil has sanctioned a three-person union among a man and two women, reports the BBC. The three don't appear to be publicity seekers out to take a stand—in fact, this happened months ago and just came to light this week. The trio has lived together in Rio for three years, sharing the humdrum stuff of life like a joint checking account to pay the bills. They sought the union for legal protection in case one of the three dies.

  • Official who approved the union: "We are only recognizing what has always existed. We are not inventing anything," says Claudia do Nascimento Domingues. "For better or worse, it doesn't matter, but what we considered a family before isn't necessarily what we would consider a family today."
  • Lawyer who vows to fight the decision: It's "absurd and totally illegal," and "something completely unacceptable which goes against Brazilian values and morals."
(Read more Brazil stories.)

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