The first same-sex wedding has happened in Costa Rica after a court ruling was effected at midnight. While the plans of activists for a national celebration had to be deferred because of the coronavirus pandemic, a late-night night TV broadcast showcased the wedding ceremony of Alexandra Quiros and Dunia Araya. The guests in attendance cheered when the brides kissed.
Two years ago, Constitutional court in Costa Rica ruled that a prohibition on same-sex marriage was unconstitutional and discriminatory and gave the parliament of Costa Rica 18 months to legislate or face automatic overruling of the ban. The deadline passed on Monday night and human rights activists across the region has welcomed the move.
Shortly after the midnight ruling became effected, the President of Costa Rica, Carlos Alvarado Quesada tweeted : “Empathy and love should from now on be the guiding principles which will allow us to move forward.”
Quesada, who assumed office in May 2018 promised to legalize same-sex marriage during his campaign. Also, Costa Rica’s 2018 election produced the country’s first open gay congressman, Enrique Sanchez.
Following this development, Costa Rica becomes the first country to legalize gay marriage in Central America and the sixth country in Latin America. Costa Rica is the 28th United Nations member state to legalize same-sex marriage.
