Bolivia celebrates first civil same-sex marriage after years of legal fight

Bolivia has celebrated its first civil marriage between two women, Fabiana Banzer and Scarlett Rocha, marking a significant victory after a protracted legal struggle for recognition. The couple's union, which took place in the eastern city of Santa Cruz, was finalized after nearly four years of "struggle, perseverance and hope," as described by Banzer on social media.

Banzer shared the joyous news, stating, "Scar and I have been together for over 4 years. I am very happy to announce to our family and friends that finally, after a legal battle of 3 years and 10 months, we have managed to access civil marriage as two women." The NGO IGUAL Bolivia, which supported the couple throughout the legal process, confirmed that the ceremony occurred on Friday.

IGUAL Bolivia highlighted that this was more than just a civil marriage; it represented the triumph of two individuals determined to build a life together, fighting for nearly four years to have their family legally recognized and protected. "Today we celebrate that this love finally has the same recognition and dignity before the law," the organization stated, emphasizing that this achievement opens a "door of hope" for many other diverse couples and families awaiting full rights recognition.

The LGBTQ+ collective La Pesada Subversiva described the journey as a "very tough legal fight against Bolivian institutions, facing discrimination and mistreatment" from public officials. They noted that Banzer and Rocha formally requested civil marriage on October 12, 2022, leveraging a 2017 advisory opinion from the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. While same-sex unions have been recognized in Bolivia since 2020 through "unión libre," activists argue it lacks the social standing and importance of marriage, making the Banzer-Rocha achievement historic.

This marriage is viewed as a crucial advancement in the fight for sexual diversity and dissent rights in Bolivia. La Pesada Subversiva commended Banzer and Rocha for achieving what seemed impossible, especially within an "adverse political context for this type of social conquest." The precedent for this legal recognition was set in December 2020 when David Aruquipa and Guido Montaño also fought for their union's legal acknowledgment.