Costa Rica Becomes First Central American Country to Legalize Same Sex Marriage after a landmark court ruling came into effect at Tuesday, May 26 2020.
In 2018, Costa Rica’s constitutional court ruled that a ban on same sex marriage was unconstitutional. and giving parliament 18 months to legislate or the provision would be automatically nullified, which is what happened Monday at midnight.
“Today, Costa Rica officially recognizes same-sex marriage,” President Carlos Alvarado Quesada wrote on Twitter (in Spanish) shortly after the midnight ruling came into effect. “Today we celebrate liberty, equality and our democratic institutions. Empathy and love should from now on be the guiding principles which will allow us to move forward and build a country that has room for everyone.”
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Quesada, who promised during his campaign to legalize same-sex marriage, was elected in 2018. The same year Costa Rica elected the country’s first openly gay congressman, Enrique Sanchez. President Carlos Alvarado Quesada said the change gives same-sex couples the same rights as any other family. “Together, under the same flag, we will build a better nation,” he tweeted.
A lesbian couple Alexandra Quiros and Dunia Araya became the first to tie the knot in a ceremony that took place just after the new law came into effect at midnight. The wedding was shown on national TV.
Dunia Araya and Alexandra Quirós celebrated their wedding at midnight, holding an outdoor ceremony in Heredia that was broadcast live.
The young women, both dressed in white, took their vows before a notary wearing a face mask as part of measures to stop the spread of coronavirus.
They became the first legally married same-sex couple in the country when a notary wearing a face mask pronounced them “wife and wife”. Rainbow rose petals were thrown by cheering guests as the brides kissed after exchanging vows.
The Human Rights Campaign also celebrated the decision. “Today, Costa Rica has made history, bringing marriage equality to Central America for the first time,” Human Rights Campaign President Alphonso David said in a statement. “Costa Rica’s LGBTQ community has worked tirelessly for years to make today a reality. This victory is theirs, and it inspires the entire global LGBTQ community to continue fighting to move equality forward.”
The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA) also tweeted in celebration. “Costa Rica is celebrating today: marriage equality has become a reality in the country – the first one in Central America!” ILGA World tweeted. “We rejoice with you: congratulations to all those who worked so hard to make it happen!”
- Also Read: Countries where Gay Marriage is Legal 2020
Costa Rica is the sixth country in Latin America to legalise gay marriage, following Argentina, Ecuador, Brazil, Colombia and Uruguay. It is also legal in some parts of Mexico. But Costa Rica is the first country in Central America to allow it.