Costa Rica has become the first Central American nation to make same-sex marriage legal. Dozens of couples are taking advantage of the new law, although ceremonies must abide by coronavirus social distancing rules.
The first same-sex weddings in Costa Rica went ahead early Tuesday after a landmark marriage equality ruling came into effect at midnight.
Ceremonies were small and largely performed in private, in line with coronavirus restrictions, although some were broadcast online or even on state television.
Daritza Araya and Alexandra Quiros were the first couple to tie the knot in the early hours of the morning. Almost 20,000 people watched their outdoor service live on Facebook, as a notary wearing a face mask pronounced them "wife and wife."
Activist Marco Castillo, who has campaigned for marriage equality for years, also wed his longtime partner in a ceremony watched by hundreds of viewers online.
"This is a step in social equality. The fact that Rodrigo and I are able to come marry each other in a court is progress,'' Castillo said. "This drives us to continue other fights for those who have a different sexual orientation.''
Read more: Ecuador approves same-sex marriage
Landmark verdict
The law change is the result of a Supreme Court ruling in August 2018, which found that Costa Rica’s ban on same-sex marriage was unconstitutional. The court gave lawmakers 18 months to change the provision, or it would automatically be annulled.
President Carlos Alvarado, who was elected in May 2018 after pledging to legalize same-sex marriage, said the change would "cause a significant social and cultural transformation of the country."
Read more: Why is homosexuality still taboo in many African countries?
Enrique Sanchez, Costa Rica's first openly gay congressman, paid tribute to activists who had spent years campaigning. "With their experience, their struggles ... they have helped build a society where there are no second-class families or second-rate people," he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.
Gay marriage is already legal in a number of South American countries, including Ecuador, Argentina and Brazil, despite strong opposition from some religious groups. Predominantly Catholic Costa Rica is the first country in Central America to take the step.
nm/msh (AP, Reuters, dpa)
Costa Rica allows same-sex marriages in first for Central America
Costa Rica becomes the sixth country in Latin America and first in Central America to legalise same-sex marriage.
LGBT community members and activists demonstrate in front of the Supreme Court of Justice to demand same-sex marriage, in San Jose, Costa Rica [File: Juan Carlos Ulate/Reuters]
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Costa Rica gave the go-ahead to same-sex marriages on Tuesday, making it the first country in Central America to do so after a landmark court ruling came into effect at midnight.
The nation's constitutional court ruled in August 2018 that a ban on same-sex marriage was unconstitutional and gave parliament 18 months to legislate or the provision would be automatically nullified.
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Earlier this month, more than 20 legislators tried to delay the marriage ruling by 18 months but the measure failed and the ban was lifted at midnight - although couples will have to opt for online weddings due to the coronavirus pandemic.
"Costa Rica is celebrating today: marriage equality has become a reality in the country - the first one in Central America!" said the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA) in a tweet.
"We rejoice with you: congratulations to all those who worked so hard to make it happen!"
Costa Rica becomes the sixth country in Latin America to allow gay marriage - after Ecuador legalised it last year - and the 28th United Nations member state to recognise same-sex marriage.
"An extraordinary moment of celebration and gratitude to the work of so many activists and of quiet reflection of the lives of those who lived without seeing this moment," tweeted Victor Madrigal-Borloz, an independent UN expert on sexual orientation and gender identity who is from Costa Rica.
In a few hours my country, #CostaRica, will recognise equal marriage. An extraordinary moment of celebration and gratitude to the work of so many activists, and of quiet reflection of the lives of those who lived without seeing this moment. #siaceptoCR #IESOGI pic.twitter.com/VFTdPTiV4J— Victor Madrigal-Borloz (@victor_madrigal) May 25, 2020
Despite considerable opposition from religious groups, gay marriage has become increasingly accepted in Latin America, with gay couples now allowed to marry in Argentina, Ecuador, Brazil, Colombia, Uruguay and parts of Mexico.
Enrique Sanchez, Costa Rica's first openly gay congressman with the centre-left Citizens' Action Party, said this represented the culmination of a fight over many years by many people, some through activism and others anonymously.
"With their experience, their struggles ... they have helped build a society where there are no second-class families or second-rate people," he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.
In a region marked by religious conservatism and widespread violence towards LGBT people, Costa Rica's gay marriage ruling was welcomed by many local rights activists.
"This offers us peace of mind," said Margarita Salas, an LGBT rights campaigner in Costa Rica and president of the VAMOS political party. "This measure gives us the ability to protect and provide security to our family."
LGBT community members and activists demonstrate in front of the Supreme Court of Justice with a sign that reads 'when the family supports, society does not discriminate' [File: Juan Carlos Ulate/Reuters]
Legalising gay marriage was a major campaign promise by President Carlos Alvarado Quesada, who took office in May 2018.
"This change will cause a significant social and cultural transformation of the country," Alvarado Quesada said in a video posted on Twitter late on Monday.
"[Gay and lesbian people] will have the rights and the same rights as any other person, couple or family in this country."
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Costa Rica gave the go-ahead to same-sex marriages on Tuesday, making it the first country in Central America to do so after a landmark court ruling came into effect at midnight.
The nation's constitutional court ruled in August 2018 that a ban on same-sex marriage was unconstitutional and gave parliament 18 months to legislate or the provision would be automatically nullified.
More:
French National Assembly approves IVF for lesbians, single women
Charges in Mongolia LGBT attack hint at changing attitudes
Singapore court to hear cases seeking to decriminalise gay sex
Earlier this month, more than 20 legislators tried to delay the marriage ruling by 18 months but the measure failed and the ban was lifted at midnight - although couples will have to opt for online weddings due to the coronavirus pandemic.
"Costa Rica is celebrating today: marriage equality has become a reality in the country - the first one in Central America!" said the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA) in a tweet.
"We rejoice with you: congratulations to all those who worked so hard to make it happen!"
Costa Rica becomes the sixth country in Latin America to allow gay marriage - after Ecuador legalised it last year - and the 28th United Nations member state to recognise same-sex marriage.
"An extraordinary moment of celebration and gratitude to the work of so many activists and of quiet reflection of the lives of those who lived without seeing this moment," tweeted Victor Madrigal-Borloz, an independent UN expert on sexual orientation and gender identity who is from Costa Rica.
In a few hours my country, #CostaRica, will recognise equal marriage. An extraordinary moment of celebration and gratitude to the work of so many activists, and of quiet reflection of the lives of those who lived without seeing this moment. #siaceptoCR #IESOGI pic.twitter.com/VFTdPTiV4J— Victor Madrigal-Borloz (@victor_madrigal) May 25, 2020
Despite considerable opposition from religious groups, gay marriage has become increasingly accepted in Latin America, with gay couples now allowed to marry in Argentina, Ecuador, Brazil, Colombia, Uruguay and parts of Mexico.
Enrique Sanchez, Costa Rica's first openly gay congressman with the centre-left Citizens' Action Party, said this represented the culmination of a fight over many years by many people, some through activism and others anonymously.
"With their experience, their struggles ... they have helped build a society where there are no second-class families or second-rate people," he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.
In a region marked by religious conservatism and widespread violence towards LGBT people, Costa Rica's gay marriage ruling was welcomed by many local rights activists.
"This offers us peace of mind," said Margarita Salas, an LGBT rights campaigner in Costa Rica and president of the VAMOS political party. "This measure gives us the ability to protect and provide security to our family."
LGBT community members and activists demonstrate in front of the Supreme Court of Justice with a sign that reads 'when the family supports, society does not discriminate' [File: Juan Carlos Ulate/Reuters]
Legalising gay marriage was a major campaign promise by President Carlos Alvarado Quesada, who took office in May 2018.
"This change will cause a significant social and cultural transformation of the country," Alvarado Quesada said in a video posted on Twitter late on Monday.
"[Gay and lesbian people] will have the rights and the same rights as any other person, couple or family in this country."
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