Bolivia records first same-sex civil marriage between two women

Fabiana Banzer and Scarlett Rocha have become the first two women to enter into a civil marriage in Bolivia. The ceremony, held in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, follows nearly four years of legal battles and constitutional appeals.

While the current Bolivian Constitution limits marriage to opposite-sex couples, a court ruling in March 2026 ordered the civil registry to recognize the union. Human Rights Watch described the event as a “historic advance for the rights of same-sex couples.”

The case may set a significant legal precedent. The Plurinational Constitutional Court is expected to review the decision, which could impact other same-sex couples seeking similar rights. This development follows a 2023 ruling that recognized free unions between same-sex individuals and urged the legislature to align national laws with international human rights standards.