The Adoption of Children by Same-Sex Couples in Brazil

This paper focuses primarily on discussing the legal possibility of adoption by same-sex couples in light of current constitutional principles. The Federal Constitution of 1988, in regulating stable unions, established that these would be between people of different sexes, expressly excluding the possibility of recognising such unions between individuals of the same sex. On the other hand, the ECA adopts the doctrine of comprehensive child protection, determining that adoption should be granted by a judge when it presents real advantages for the adoptee. It can be concluded that, in view of the changes in the structure of households, the relationship between persons of the same gender is equivalent to a true family, and the possibility of it being advantageous for the child to live within a new family model should be considered, provided that the adopters comply with the requirements of the Statute of the Child and Adolescent, rather than continuing to live in precarious institutions or on the streets in a state of abandonment. The principles of human dignity and equality require everyone, including legal practitioners, to abandon their prejudices and consider the love and well-being of the child.