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.
