Maria Berenice Dias

Who is Maria Berenice Dias?

Maria Berenice Dias is a progressive Brazilian judge and the first woman to take the bench in her home state of Rio Grande do Sul. Dr. Dias also was the first woman to become a justice of the state highest Court of Appeals. She is the presiding justice over the Seventh Panel of Judges of the state highest Court of Appeals; the quorum of judges assembles in Porto Alegre, the state capital. Dr. Dias' own specialty is the area of family law.

While known as a long-time defender of women's rights, Dr. Dias also became a great champion and fighter on behalf of the human rights of persons of sexual minority; and especially defending the right of same-sex couples, as alternative families, to have their unions officially recognized by the State of Brazil.

Dr. Dias always insists in recognizing same-sex couples as family units based on their free, mutual and permanent in nature homoaffectionalism towards one another. This has made her a true pioneer and a beloved friend of the members of the Brazilian Homosexual Movement and of the all-encompassing Queer community of Brazil.

Besides being a prolific author of books and articles, etc. Dr. Dias also created, co-founded or presided over such organizations as the Brazilian Institute of Family Law; the Federation of Women’s Associations; JusMulher, offering voluntary legal and psychological service to women in need; and the Brazilian Association of Women with Careers in the Justice Field.