Costa Rica becomes first country in Central America to allow same-sex marriages
|Published
More than three decades ago, Marco Castillo began a path towards equality, full of rejections, obstacles, and achievements, the last one being equal marriage in Costa Rica, which will enter into force on Tuesday by order of the Constitutional Chamber. Screengrab from video by EFE via Reuters More than three decades ago, Marco Castillo began a path towards equality, full of rejections, obstacles, and achievements, the last one being equal marriage in Costa Rica, which will enter into force on Tuesday by order of the Constitutional Chamber. Screengrab from video by EFE via Reuters
Mexico City - 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.
Earlier this month, more than 20 lawmakers 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 restrictions.
"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 U.N. member state to recognize same-sex marriage.
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 center-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."
Legalizing 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."
Thomson
Reuters Foundation