Bolivia’s civil registry authorised a same-sex civil union for the first time after a two-year legal battle.
David Aruquipa, a 48-year-old businessman, and Guido Montano, a 45-year-old lawyer, were initially denied the right to register their union in 2018 by authorities in Bolivia, who said the country’s laws did not allow same-sex marriage.
While the Bolivian Constitution still does not permit same-sex unions, Montano and Aruquipa took their case to court. They successfully argued the prohibition violated international human rights standards and was discrimination under Bolivian law.
Americas director at Human Rights Watch, Jose Miguel Vivanco said same-sex couples are an integral part of Bolivia’s society and deserve to be recognized by the state and its institutions.
Activists in Bolivia hope this decision will pave the way for an overhaul of the country’s marriage laws.