News (World)

First lesbian couple to get married in Costa Rica had their wedding broadcast live on television

The marriage in Costa Rica
Photo: Screenshot/Facebook

The first same-sex couple to get married in Costa Rica had a ceremony in the early hours of this morning and it was broadcast on television and on Facebook.

Daritza Araya and Alexandra Qu Castillo were the first couple to get married as a Costa Rica Supreme Court ruling went into effect, legalizing marriage equality in the Central American country, and they were married at 12:01 a.m. local time.

Related: Landmark court case brings marriage equality to 20 countries with one ruling

Respecting social distancing measures, the women were married by an officiant wearing a face mask.

“With this ring, I join you in marriage,” the women said, according to GSN. “May this ring remind you that I am always by your side in energy and love.”

Both women said “Sí, acepto” (“I do”) and they were married in the historic ceremony.

En vivo

Alexandra y Daritza estrenaron el matrimonio igualitario en Costa Rica

Posted by Teletica.com on Monday, May 25, 2020

The Inter-American Court of Human Rights ruled in 2018 in favor of marriage equality, a decision that applied to the more than 20 Central and South American countries that agreed to abide by its rulings, but was not legally binding.

Later that year, Costa Rica’s supreme court decided that the country’s ban on same-sex marriage was unconstitutional and gave the legislature 18 months to implement the ruling.

But the legislature failed to act, and conservative lawmakers were attempting to delay marriage equality up until last week. They failed and the court ruling became law today.

“Costa Rica officially recognizes equal marriage,” tweeted Costa Rica’s President Carlos Alvarado Quesada. “Today we celebrate freedom, equality, and democratic institutions. May empathy and love be the compass that allows us to get ahead and build a country where all people fit.”

Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Uruguay have already implemented marriage equality. Mexico allows same-sex marriages in 18 of 33 states its capital.

Don't forget to share:

Good News is your section for queer joy! Subscribe to our newsletter to get the most positive and fun stories from the site delivered to your inbox every weekend. Send us your suggestions for uplifiting and inspiring stories.


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

That time drag queens shut down haters with synchronized fan thworps

Previous article

USA Today’s take on Lady Gaga & Ariana Grande’s new song is so straight Twitter can’t handle it

Next article