Agence France-Presse reports:
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. Moments after midnight, Dunia Araya and Alexandra Quiros tied the knot in a town northwest of the capital, San Jose. The young women, both dressed in white, took their vows before a notary wearing a face mask as part of measures to stop the spread of coronavirus.
The first same-sex marriage in Costa Rica was broadcast live 3 minutes after the law came into effect! 🏳️🌈🇨🇷#MatrimonioIgualitario #lovewins pic.twitter.com/eUa5ZYijBf
— Enrique Paniagua (@paniaguaenri) May 26, 2020
A partir de mañana, Costa Rica reconocerá el matrimonio igualitario. En unas horas, las parejas del mismo sexo, y sus familias, tendrán los mismos derechos que cualquier otra pareja o familia de este país. En unión, bajo una misma bandera, construyamos una mejor nación. pic.twitter.com/iZAlApnKWh
— Carlos Alvarado Quesada (@CarlosAlvQ) May 26, 2020
Costa Rica da este martes un paso firme en los derechos a la comunidad LGTB https://t.co/IeoYTzA9HE
— EL PAÍS América (@elpais_america) May 26, 2020
Newlyweds and a waxing moon: Tuesday’s best photos https://t.co/qrnA7yFM0L
— The Guardian (@guardian) May 26, 2020