Costa Rica to Legalize Same-Sex Marriage by 2020

The Supreme Court of Costa Rica has officially declared same-sex marriage must become legal in the country by May 2020.

The ruling doesn’t come as a surprise, as the courts had already proclaimed a ban against same-sex marriage unconstitutional in August of this year. The government had yet to enact the ruling though, and are now under a deadline to make it happen.

And if they don’t? It sounds like the current marriage ban will no longer legally apply anyway.

Earlier this year, Costa Rica elected a new president, Carlos Alvarado Quesada, who ran partly on a platform of supporting gay rights.

“My commitment is to a government for everybody, in equality and liberty,” Alvarado Quesada said upon his win. “There is much more that unites us than divides us.”

Despite these victories, Costa Rica may still have a long way to go. According to a poll published in January by the University of Costa Rica, only about 30% of Costa Ricans support marriage equality.

And still the courts push for progress regardless, with the 2020 ruling stating: “Acts of open discrimination, whether they are expressed or implied, cannot be justified in any way in a democratic society that respects fundamental rights.”

So congratulations, LGBTQ Costa Ricans! You’ve got 18 months to plan the most amazing gay weddings ever. Better get started.