Costa Rica's President Introduces Common-Law Same-Sex Marriage Bill

Photo via WikiCommons/Luis Manuel Madrigal 

Marking a significant step for Central America, the office of Costa Rican President Luis Guillermo Solís introduced a bill to the nation's parlimanent for the legalization of same-sex common-law marriages. In Costa Rica, common-law marriages carry the same rights and benefits as traditional marriage, but they require approval of a judge after three years of cohabitation. If approved, the pacifist country would become the first in Central America to recognize same-sex couples. 

The president's center-left Citizen Action Party has repeatedly affirmed its committment to human rights and LGBT equality. Earlier this year, a same-sex couple that had been together for 12 years was granted a common-law marriage, a major victory for LGBT rights in the region and added catalyst for full legalization.

[H/T Gay Star News]