Bolivia's First Same-Sex Marriage Marks Milestone for LGBTQ+ Rights

Fabiana Bánzer and Scarlett Rocha, both 29, achieved Bolivia's first legally recognized same-sex marriage after a court ruled in their favor, overturning a previous denial based on Article 63 of the constitution. Their case was supported by an NGO lawyer who invoked international human-rights norms and a precedent from the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. The ceremony, held in Santa Cruz, was attended by family and drew both national and international attention.

Conservative groups condemned the marriage as unconstitutional, but LGBTQ+ advocates hailed it as a historic step toward equality. The ruling does not automatically extend marriage rights to all queer couples, as Bolivia still lacks a comprehensive marriage-for-all law. Nonetheless, the case has prompted dozens of other couples to seek similar legal recognition.