Costa Rica legalises same-sex marriage; first couple weds on live broadcast
Costa Rica has legalised same-sex marriage. A couple, hence, got married on live broadcast to capture this joyous moment.
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. The president called "empathy" and "love" key factors that will allow Costa Rica to progress as a nation.
Here are some pictures from the wedding ceremony of the first same-sex couple to legally get married in Costa Rica.
Two women were married on national television in Costa Rica this week, marking the first legal same-sex marriage in Central America.
Two women were married on national television in Costa Rica this week, marking the first legal same-sex marriage in Central America.
(Photograph:AFP)
Dunia Araya and Alexandra Quirós were couples who celebrated their wedding at midnight, holding an outdoor ceremony in Heredia that was broadcast live.
Dunia Araya and Alexandra Quirós celebrated their wedding at midnight, holding an outdoor ceremony in Heredia that was broadcast live.
(Photograph:AFP)
The notary was wearing a face mask when she pronounced them "wife and wife.
The notary was wearing a face mask when she pronounced them "wife and wife.
(Photograph:AFP)
Enrique Sanchez, Costa Rica's first openly gay congressman, said that marriage equality represents the culmination of a years-long battle by activists.
Enrique Sanchez, Costa Rica's first openly gay Congressman, said that marriage equality represents the culmination of a years-long battle by activists.
(Photograph:AFP)
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Costa Rica is the sixth country in Latin America to legalize gay marriage, following Argentina, Ecuador, Brazil, Colombia and Uruguay. It is also legal in some parts of Mexico.
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.
(Photograph:AFP)
In August 2018, Costa Rica's constitutional court ruled that banning same-sex marriage is unconstitutional and discriminatory. It gave parliament 18 months to change the law before marriage equality would automatically take effect.
In August 2018, Costa Rica's constitutional court ruled that banning same-sex marriage was unconstitutional and discriminatory. It gave parliament 18 months to change the law before marriage equality would automatically take effect.