In a landmark decision, Sao Paulo state judge Fernando Henrique Pinto ruled Monday that two men were allowed to convert their civil union into a full marriage. In May 2011, Brazil’s Supreme Court had legalized same-sex civil unions, but stopped short of approving same-sex marriage. Today, however, equality is being celebrated with Judge Pinto's ruling and the first official gay marriage in the country of over 190 million people.

From the Associated Press:

While the court released only the initials of the couple that was married, the Globo television network's G1 website identified the men as Sergio Kauffman Sousa and Luiz Andre Moresi. They asked a state court in the city of Jacarei, 53 miles (85 kilometers) northeast of Sao Paulo, to approve their marriage.

"It's an immense joy. I'm still trying to comprehend this historic moment," Moresi told G1. "We've fought for so many years and now that it's happened we're in ecstasy. I dedicate this victory to all the activists."

Luiz Mott, founder of Grupo Gay da Bahia, the oldest gay rights organization in Brazil, called the marriage a huge step for LGBT rights in the country.

"Now any couple can ask for the same thing. It's a great advance," he said.