Status of same-sex marriage is identical to that of a traditional marriage under the Marriage Act. Both religious and civil officials may refuse to perform same-sex marriages. On 22 July 2010, Argentina became the first country in Latin America to legalise same-sex marriage. The law also allows same-sex couples to adopt. And in many jurisdictions, including the city of Buenos Aires, it is also legal for non-residents and tourists. On 25 October 2011, Brazil's Supreme Court of Justice ruled that two women can enter into civil marriage under the current law, thus overturning the decision of two lower court's ruling against the women. Following
Same-sex marriage in the Australian Capital Territory marriages that had been performed under the ACT legislation are consequently void. The ACT was the first jurisdiction in Australia to legally recognise same-sex couples in 1994. It was the second to allow joint adoption petitions by same-sex couples in 2003, following Western Australia. It also is the first (and currently, only) jurisdiction to allow Civil unions after its "Civil Unions Act" passed the Legislative Assembly in 2012. Previously, identical legislation was successfully rejected by the federal Howard Government in 2006. In 2013, the Legislative Assembly voted to legalise same-sex marriage, but this law was struck down by the Australian