
The Court of Justice of Maranhão held an LGBTQIAPN+ community wedding in São Luís, bringing together 15 couples, 12 in person and three via videoconference, with the aim of recognizing the right to found a family and increasing the visibility of historically vulnerable groups.
AI-generated summary
The Community Marriage Project of the Maranhão Court of Justice already served different audiences, but this LGBTQIAPN+ couples-specific edition aimed to increase visibility of the demands of that group and bring the Judiciary closer to historically vulnerable populations.
Community wedding brings together 15 LGBTQIAPN+ couples in São Luís — Photo: Disclosure/ TJMA
The General Inspectorate of the Extrajudicial Forum of Maranhão (COGEX), in partnership with the Diversity Committee of the Court of Justice of Maranhão (TJMA), held this Friday (4) an edition of the LGBTQIAPN+ Community Wedding in São Luís. The ceremony brought together 15 couples, 12 of whom participated in person and three via video conference, from the municipalities of Imperatriz, Santa Inês and Santa Luzia.
The event was held at the headquarters of the Association of Magistrates of Maranhão (AMMA) and was broadcast on the TJMA Channel on YouTube.
During the opening of the ceremony, judge Lorena Brandão, who represented the general inspector of the Extrajudicial Forum, judge Angela Salazar, highlighted the importance of the celebration as a form of recognition of the right to create a family.
"Before us, we have different trajectories, but they all share something essential: the choice to walk together and accept, before society, those they love and the commitment to building a life in common", he pointed out.
Judge Elaile Carvalho, coordinator of the Diversity Committee of the Court of Justice of Maranhão, stated that holding a specific edition for LGBTQIAPN+ couples increases the visibility of the demands of this public and brings the Judiciary closer to historically vulnerable groups.
According to her, although the Community Marriage project serves different audiences, the participation of LGBTQIAPN+ couples is not always highlighted.
André Oliveira, 44, and Raphael Ferreira, 42, were the first in-person couple to make their union official during the ceremony. The two have been together for ten years and had their wedding celebrated by judge Maria França Ribeiro.
After the ceremony, the couple highlighted the importance of formalizing their union and the welcome received during the event.
"In addition to formalizing a union of so many years, it is important to show society that we cannot be undeserved and that our relationship is valid. I am very grateful to COGEX and TJ for providing this beautiful day for us", said André.
The youngest couple at the ceremony was made up of Alice Lira, aged 22, and Paulo Roberto, aged 23. They have been together for three years and have lived together for two.
The two stated that marriage was the couple's desire and highlighted the importance of the opportunity offered by the project.
"We both wanted to get married, for us it is very important to experience this moment. Unfortunately, last year we missed the registration deadline for the event, but this time we managed to do it", said Alice.
Jodilene Costa, 35, and Janiele Rabelo, 23, also made their union official during the ceremony. The couple has been together for four years and has a nine-month-old daughter.
Janiele said that the initiative to participate in the wedding came from her and was accepted by her partner. According to her, the registration of the union also represents an important step for the family they built.
"The first step was mine, and she agreed right away. It's very important for us", said Janiele.
Representatives of the Court of Justice of Maranhão, the Association of Magistrates of Maranhão (AMMA), the State Public Defender's Office and entities linked to civil registries participated in the ceremony.
Magistrates of the Maranhão Judiciary also acted as celebrants.
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
TJMA will hold new editions of LGBTQIAPN+ Community Marriage in the coming months.
Likely · Within months
Other state courts may adopt similar Community marriage models for specific audiences.
Possible · Within months

Women from the quilombola communities of Rasa, São Jacinto and Botafogo participated in the Somos Divas na Luz do Candeeiro project, developed by the Carlos Scliar Institute in partnership with Prolagos, with weekly pottery workshops that promoted technical learning, coexistence, strengthening bonds and autonomy, as well as benefits for mental health.

The City Hall only authorizes cleaning and maintenance services in municipal cemeteries until November 1st, suspending works such as construction and painting, to prepare the spaces for All Souls' Day, with the expectation of 20 thousand visitors at the São João Batista Cemetery and 8 thousand at the Campal Cemetery.

Valdirene Faria Queiroz and Jaqueline Ferreira de Oliveira, people with visual impairment and cerebral palsy, respectively, learned crochet and cooking at the Ribeirão Preto Social and Professional Qualification Center, transforming the activities into a source of income and personal improvement, despite the low demand for people with disabilities in the courses offered.

The 21st Cabo Frio LGBTI+ Pride Parade takes place this Sunday (6) at Praça do Guta, in front of Praia do Forte, starting at 3pm, with parades, presentations and shows. City Hall informed that Avenida Macário Pinto Lopes will be closed from 5 am to 3 pm in the section between the Kiosques de Vidro roundabout and Praça da Cidadania.

A man who lived in a makeshift tree house on Rua Padre Cabral, in Setúbal, Recife, had the structure removed by the Executive Secretariat for Urban Control after complaints from residents. The city hall informed that he is being monitored by SEAS and that the process has begun to grant Auxílio Acolhida, a benefit of R$300 for renting property.

Registration for the 25th edition of the Feira de Santana Collective Wedding ends next Friday (4). The project, promoted by the City Hall in partnership with the TJBA, offers free marriage for couples in situations of socioeconomic vulnerability who reside in the city or its districts. The ceremony will take place on December 3, at 2:30 pm, at the Unef University Center.