Same-sex couples in Ecuador have taken another step toward equality, as civil unions will now be included on national identification cards.
Despite same-sex marriage still being illegal, civil unions were introduced in Ecuador in 2008.
President Rafael Correa made the announcement that same-sex couples in civil unions will now be allowed to include their unions on the ID.
He said: "Gays, lesbians, transgender and transsexual people have the full constitutional right to include their civil union on their ID cards."
Until this change, only opposite-sex marriages were listed on national IDs.
The President continued: "If there was any doubt about heterosexual or same-sex civil unions being put on national ID cards, there is none any more."
He stopped short of supporting same-sex marriage, however, saying: "I have never offered to support" equal marriage. Ecuador is mostly a Catholic nation, including President Correa.
The constitution of Ecuador currently states that marriage is between one man and one woman, and that only straight couples can adopt.
Queer News. Straight Up.
The LGBTQ+ stories you don't want to miss, delivered to your inbox daily.