News (World)

First same-sex marriage in Dominican Republic performed at British Embassy

First same-sex marriage in Dominican Republic performed at British Embassy
Dominican Republic
The British Embassy in the Dominican Republic tweeted this photo on Tuesday, Dec. 30, of the wedding ceremony between a British and Dominican national. Twitter

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — Same-sex marriage is banned in the Dominican Republic, but a man and his partner have exchanged vows in the first ceremony of its kind performed at the British embassy in the conservative Caribbean country.

The embassy tweeted on Tuesday that the Dominican government respected its right to perform the ceremony under the Vienna Convention and that the British government has recognized the marriage.

Embassy officials said they have advised the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that additional ceremonies would be performed.

Article continues below

The couple was not identified, with the embassy saying only that it is a Dominican and a British man. Embassy officials tweeted a picture of the ceremony that showed only the hands of one man placing a wedding ring on the other.

The United Kingdom announced in June that same-sex couple could marry at British consulates in 25 countries, including the Dominican Republic. It is the only Caribbean country on that list.

The U.K. parliament approved same-sex marriages in July 2013, and the law went into effect in England and Wales in March of this year.

© 2014, Associated Press, All Rights Reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Don't forget to share:

Support vital LGBTQ+ journalism

Reader contributions help keep LGBTQ Nation free, so that queer people get the news they need, with stories that mainstream media often leaves out. Can you contribute today?

Cancel anytime · Proudly LGBTQ+ owned and operated

Uninformed religious leaders are guilty of causing Leelah Alcorn’s pain, desperation, rejection, and death

Previous article

Federal judge moves to speed up ruling in Kansas same-sex marriage suit

Next article