After two years the country finally lifted the ban on gay marriage, making this the first Central America country to legalize marriage equality. President Carlos Alvarado Quesada said this allows the country to progress as a nation.
In 2018, the country's constitutional court gave parliament 18 months to make same-sex marriage legal. Ruling it unconstitutional and discriminatory. After that period it would automatically come into effect.
A small group wanted to extend that period for 18 more months. The attempt was unsuccessful.
Costa Rica's first openly gay congressman, Enrique Sanchez, said this represents the culmination of a years-long battle by activists.
Human Rights Campaign President Alphonso David hopes other nations will follow in Costa Rica's footsteps and establish equal marriage.
Dunia Araya and Alexandra Quirós were the first legally married couple on midnight of May 26th, 2020 Marco Castillo and his longtime partner Rodrigo Campos. Source: Thomson Reuters Foundation