Colombian Gay Couples May Share Assets
Colombia's top court ruled that gay couples in long-term relationships should have the same rights to shared assets as heterosexual couples.

The decision by the Constitutional Court late Wednesday marked the first recognition of gay couples' rights in this South American nation. The court ruled that if a gay couple of two years separates, the assets accumulated during the relationship will be divided between the two, and in the case of death, the survivor will receive all the assets.

Previously if one died, his or her possessions passed on to the surviving family.

Representatives of the Roman Catholic Church said they supported the law but worried it may open the way to gay marriage and gay adoption.

While homosexuals celebrated the ruling, activists said they would continue fighting for parity with heterosexual couples.

Homosexuals in Colombia continue to face a number of threats in this traditional country, where the Roman Catholic church is by far and away the largest religious denomination. While homosexuality is still taboo in many rural parts of Latin America, urban areas are becoming more socially liberal. At the national level, lawmakers in Colombia and Costa Rica have debated, but not passed, measures to recognize gay unions.