Three cheers for Ecuador as they join the list of countries that allow gay marriage. Two separate lesbian couples filed suit after they were denied marriage licenses by the Civil Registry.

These cases were heard in two separate hearings by Family, Women, Children and Adolescents Court Judge Iliana Vallejo and Judge Ruth Alvarez. Both judges rules in favor of the couples.

The hearings took place in Cuenca, Ecuador. Ecuador is part of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, a group made up of 20 countries including Argentina, Mexico, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela and more. In January the judges of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights ruled that the countries under its jurisdiction are required to offer marriage equality. Both Judge Vallejo and Judge Alvarez cited this in their rulings and stated the the two lesbian couples were allowed to be married immediately.

This ruling solidified the decision of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. Congratulations to all the couples who will be equally wed in Ecuador!