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Costa Rica Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage

Published

4 years ago

May 26, 2020

Costa Rica has become the first Central American country to legalize same-sex marriage, following a court ruling which came into force at midnight.

Costa Rica legalised same-sex marriage on Tuesday, becoming the first Central American country to do so and sparking an emotional response from rights campaigners as the first weddings were held overnight.

Celebrations were cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic, but a special program about LGBT rights was broadcast on public television and online after a court ruling came into force at midnight.

“This change will bring about a significant social and cultural transformation, allowing thousands of people to marry,” said President Carlos Alvarado in the program.

Costa Rica is the eighth country in the Americas to recognise same-sex marriage,a group that includes Brazil, Ecuador and Argentina, as well as Canada and the US.