Costa Rica could be the first Central American country to allow gay civil unions—by accident
Gay rights activists in Costa Rica are fighting for a right theyve already wonby mistake.
Last week, Costa Rican legislators passed an amendment to the countrys family code meant to allow couples who have been living together for three or more years to be recognized as having a common law marriage, which would grant them the benefits of legal partners such as alimony.
This week, the language of the amendment, which was signed into law by president Laura Chinchilla, was published in the governments official bulletin, La Gaceta, stating recognition of the right, without discrimination
to social and hereditary benefits of civil unions. Gay rights activists are seizing on the language, inserted by liberal lawmakers and unwittingly approved by conservative lawmakers, to pry open the door to same-sex civil unions. (Gay marriage is not legal in Costa Rica.)
Whether the law can be interpreted to support gay civil unions now depends on Costa Ricas courts. Last week, a lawyer filed an appeal with Costa Ricas highest court asking for legal recognition of a civil union with his boyfriend.
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http://qz.com/103649/costa-rica-could-be-the-first-central-american-country-to-allow-gay-civil-unions-by-accident