History is quietly made in the midst of the CoVid Crisis
This morning, at 12:01 am, Canal Trece of Costa Rica will be live broadcasting a historic moment when the first same-sex marriage is legally completed. While originally the event was supposed to be surrounded by a lot of media, fanfare, and a large event to celebrate the rights of same-sex couples in Costa Rica, due to the CoVid crisis, a virtual celebration of love and acceptance has been planned. The path towards this moment has been a long one and was actually concreted in 2018 when Costa Rica’s constitutional court ruled that there were no constitutional grounds for limiting the civil rights of same-sex unions. That ruling gave the legislature here 18 months to draft new laws to govern same-sex marriages, and in the absence of any legislation, same-sex couples would automatically be granted all the same rights under the family code currently governing all marriages in Costa Rica.
There was even a last-minute attempt by some members of the legislature to block or delay the implementation, which was swiftly denied, and while much of the nation sleeps tonight, a historic event is going to take place with the marriage of two women who will be the first official same-sex marriage in Costa Rica.
At a time when Costa Rica is already proving itself to be a leader in the world during times of a global pandemic, at a time when Costa Rica leads the world in finding a path towards carbon neutrality, and at a time when Costa Rica is still home to the world's happiest people, this important step in tolerance, acceptance, and equality is of tremendous importance. Predominantly a catholic country, with a large base of conservative families who, on a personal level, might not support homosexuality, the marriage held this morning is perhaps a larger lesson for the world over to reflect upon. We are never going to all agree, see the world from the same paradigm, like the same music, food, art, or culture. Too much of the world now has become an all-or-nothing selection. Love me or hate me, vote for me or be my enemy, in or out... Costa Rica, this morning, will quietly take a step towards its future and likely the world's future, where one's personal beliefs or worldview don’t have to limit those of our neighbor, brother, sister, son or daughter.
So while the event will take place well after my bedtime, it will largely go unnoticed given the fear that dominates the global news cycle, in the wee hours of the morning, LOVE will be turning an important page here in Costa Rica. Pura Vida, Costa Rica. Just another reason I love you so.