The first officially recognized same-sex marriage in Central America has been concluded in Costa Rica. The wedding between two women was broadcast live on state television – after a three-hour program to celebrate the „historic move“ including countdown. The ceremony began shortly after midnight (local time) in the night to today – from that moment civil marriage was possible for everyone in Costa Rica.
The country’s constitutional court had declared “marriage for all” legal in November 2018 and set a period of 18 months until it came into force. This was preceded by a recommendation from the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, which is based in Costa Rica and recognized by numerous countries in Latin America.
That was a significant social and cultural change, President Carlos Alvarado said in a speech to the nation. Thanks to decades of struggle, the country now recognizes the rights that the LGBTIQ community has always earned. „May the empathy and love be the compass that allows us to move forward and build a country that has room for all of us,“ tweeted the Socialist.
