Costa Rica: Vice Presidents endorse equal rights for gay couples
The vice presidents of Costa Rica, Alfio Piva and Luis Liberman have said, in an interview with Amelia Rueda, that gay couples deserve the same rights as heterosexuals, though they stopped short of endorsing equal marriage.
The two men also opposed adoption rights, but said gay people should have the same rights on inheritance, social security, and loan applications. The president of the country, Laura Chinchilla herself has not commented on the issue, merely saying that it wasn’t a priority for the government.
However, a gay and trans rights group, Centre for Research and Promotion of Human Rights in Central America (CIPAC), has introduced a constitutional motion to bring forth marriage equality, as Article 14 of the Family Code forbids it.
Two years ago, the country’s constitutional court blocked a referendum that would have allowed voters to decide on civil partnerships for gay couples. This contrasts with countries like Uruguay and Colombia, where civil unions are legal.
Costa Rica has marked International Day Against Homophobia on May 17 since 2008.
