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Over 60 Same-Sex Couples Marry In Mass Wedding
Puerto Rico is on track to become one of the more progressive regions in the United States.
It hasn't been a straightforward journey for Puerto Rico's LGBT community. In 2014, Judge Juan Pérez-Giménez broke rank with the First Circuit Court of Appeals, under which Puerto Rico falls, and upheld the United States territory's same-sex marriage ban. However, after a number of appeals and stays, this summer's landmark Supreme Court ruling finally brought marriage to the Caribbean archipelago. In honor of the victory, more than 60 couples were wed in a mass ceremony on Sunday in San Juan, the capital city.
Congratulations Iris & Maritza, clients just married in #PuertoRico! #IgualdadBoricua
A photo posted by Lambda Legal (@lambdalegal) on
Despite embracing marriage equality relatively late, Puerto Rico has made swift strides since the end of June. Gay couples are now also able to adopt jointly, and Governor Alejandro Garcia Padilla (who asked for the court to reverse its decision upholding the same-sex marriage ban prior to the Supreme Court's decision) recently issued executive orders allowing for transgender people to change their drivers licenses and ensuring their protection from discrimination when seeking medical services.
[H/T Associated Press]
