SANTIAGO (Reuters) – Chile’s Javier Silva and Jaime Nazar grew to become the first two males to tie the knot within the South American nation’s historical past on Thursday after a law permitting same-sex marriage went into effect.
In December, Congress authorized laws guaranteeing authorized rights for same-sex {couples} in a milestone for the conservative nation after a decade-long battle by LGBTQ communities and rights teams.
“Being the first couple to get married in Chile for us is an honor, one thing to be pleased with,” Silva instructed reporters after the civil ceremony. “We did it! It’s one thing we did not assume may occur.”
Silva and Nazar have been collectively for seven years and have two younger kids. They have had a civil union for the final three years, however marriage is a big step ahead for his or her entire household.
“Now our kids have the same rights (as different households) and they’ll be capable of have, we hope, a greater future, that they won’t be discriminated in opposition to for having two mother and father who love one another,” Silva added.
Despite its lengthy conservative custom, Chile has been making progress in recent times in recognizing LGBTQ rights.
“My congratulations to Jaime and Javier for being the first couple to marry underneath the brand new #EqualMarriage law. To proceed advancing for a Chile with equal rights and freedoms for all folks,” President-elect Gabriel Boric, who takes workplace on Friday, mentioned on Twitter.
Same-sex marriage laws was first mentioned in 2017 and pushed by former President Michelle Bachelet, however was delayed till final yr.
Before that, beginning in 2015, same-sex {couples} have been in a position register a Civil Union Agreement (AUC), which allowed some authorized advantages.
“I feel we’re placing ourselves on the stage the remainder of the world resides in, which is nice,” Nazar mentioned. “I do know our society could be very conservative, however I additionally know we’ve a promising future as a rustic.”
(Reporting by Fabián Andrés Cambero and Reuters Television; Editing by Alexander Villegas and Richard Chang)
