First same-sex partnership registered in Latvia

RIGA,—Maksims Ringo and Janis Locs on Monday made history as the first same-sex couple in Latvia to register their partnership, just after midnight when a new law took effect.

The couple celebrated at a legal office in Riga’s historic center and later exchanged silver rings during a party at the city’s main library. They expressed hope of exchanging gold rings if Latvia legalizes same-sex marriage.

Ringo highlighted the practical benefits of the new law, such as improved hospital visiting rights, adding, “We have been together for five and a half years.”

Homosexuality remains a contentious issue in Latvia, where a 2005 constitutional amendment restricted marriage to opposite-sex couples.

However, in November, the Latvian parliament passed legislation allowing same-sex civil unions, following successful legal challenges by 46 same-sex couples seeking family recognition.

The new law grants same-sex partners hospital visitation rights, as well as certain tax and social security benefits. However, they are still barred from adopting children and face challenges regarding inheritance rights.

With this legislative change, only five EU countries—Bulgaria, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia—remain where same-sex couples cannot register civil unions.

Latvia elected Edgars Rinkevics as the EU’s first openly gay head of state last May. Despite a 2019 Eurobarometer poll showing that 45% of Latvians expressed discomfort with a homosexual or bisexual high-ranking official, Latvia elected Edgars Rinkevics as the EU’s first openly gay head of state last May.

Latvian gay rights activist Kaspars Zalitis noted that notary offices are experiencing a surge of same-sex couples eager to register their partnerships under the new law.

(With files from Reuters)