religious groups, too. Those who fear the slipperly slope feel the ground moving underneath their feet. The institution of family can not be defended with the approval of actions that seek to distort its definition, the religious, conservative Plinio Correa de Oliveira Institute said in a statement. The purpose of this -LRB- union -RRB- is not to build families, but to destroy them. The controversial civil union is proof that there is a plurality of familiar relations, though not all deserve judicial or legal standing, Rolf Madaleno, director of the Brazilian Institute for Family Law, said in a statement. The action carried out does not provide protections and does not confer rights. In his opinion, the legal action in question does nothing more than reaffirm that the trio in question believes that they are a trio. Domingues, 39, argues that they deserve some benefits. They live together in Rio de Janeiro, they share a bank account, and they want protection in case of separation or death, she said. Brazil is known for its progressive social policies and openness, as reflected in the status conferred to the trio, though the country is stereotyped, too. While Brazil appears to be a permissive place, it is also a a country where more than 86 % of the population identifies as Catholic or evangelical. There was a similar outcry when stable unions between same-sex couples were