Latvia legalizes civil marriage and celebrates first union

Latvia saw new legislation allowing civil marriage between same-sex couples come into effect on Monday, March 1. Shortly after midnight, Maksim Ringo and Janis Locs said “I do”, becoming the first same-sex couple to formalize their union in the country. “We have been waiting for this day for a long time,” Janis said. “There is a bit of stress, of course, but it is a joy that we can finally be recognized by the country,” she added.

Ringo and Locs met in early 2019 and decided to move in together at the end of the same year. With the new law passed in November, all couples, including same-sex couples, can now register their civil partnership. Notary Aigars Kaupe highlighted the importance of the legislation: “This is not only historic, it is crucial for Latvian society to recognise that people and relationships are different and that they all have value.”

The new law was passed following a lawsuit filed by 46 same-sex couples seeking recognition as family units.

Justice Minister Inese Libina-Egnere acknowledged the difficulties faced until recognition: “The path was not easy, but we prepared the ground for future progress.”

Kaspars Zalitis, leader of the “Partners for Life” movement, celebrated the victory after 25 years of struggle: “This is a historic moment. These two men have written something in the history books that has never existed before: love.” Civil unions will be allowed as long as the individuals are not married, are direct relatives, siblings or half-siblings and have not registered another union.

Currently, only five EU countries do not allow civil marriage between people of the same sex: Bulgaria, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Slovakia. In Portugal, same-sex marriage has been allowed since 2010.