Same-sex couples in Latvia are now allowed to register their partnerships – according to a law that came into force on Monday.
This is the first time that same-sex couples are recognized legally in the country.
The introduction of the partnership law is an important signal that all families in Latvia are protected, appreciated, and recognized, says Kaspars Zalitis, head of an organization working for hbtqi rights.
The law gives, for example, registered couples equal rights to manage the household and offers tax and social insurance benefits. However, it does not offer the same legal conditions as a marriage – such as the right to adopt.
Same-sex marriages were banned in 2005 on the proposal of right-wing politicians, but since then attitudes have changed. The proposal for same-sex partnerships was initially controversial, but gained momentum in 2020 when Catholic Archbishop Zbignevs Stankevics gave his support.
Last year, Latvia made history when Edgars Rinkevics was elected president as the first openly gay head of state in the EU.
The first partnership was registered just a few minutes after midnight, on Monday, at the national library. Among the jubilant crowd was also Justice Minister Inese Libina-Egnere.
