Congrats are in order for two women who made history in Costa Rica today. The couple got married and had a beautiful ceremony in the early hours of this morning. The ceremony was even broadcasted 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. The couple officially married at 12:01 a.m. local time.
As we previously reported, Costa Rica’s supreme court decided that the country’s ban on same-sex marriage was unconstitutional and gave the legislature 18 months to make changes. But the legislature failed to do so and conservative lawmakers were attempting to delay marriage equality up until last week. However, that failed as well and the court ruling became law today.
Costa Rica’s President Carlos Alvarado Quesada tweeted, “Costa Rica officially recognizes equal marriage. 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.”
The country is now the 28th United Nations member state in the world to recognize marriage equality.
Watch the Full Ceremony Below: