SwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

Latvia allows same-sex partnerships

Same-sex couples in Latvia are now allowed to register partnerships – according to a law that came into force on Monday. It is the first time that same-sex couples are recognized legally in the country.

» Updated: 16 July 2024, 17:04

» Published: 01 July 2024

Latvia allows same-sex partnerships
Photo: Michael Buholzer/AP/TT

Same-sex couples in Latvia are now allowed to register their partnerships – according to a law that came into force on Monday.

This is the first time that same-sex couples are recognized legally in the country.

The introduction of the partnership law is an important signal that all families in Latvia are protected, appreciated, and recognized, says Kaspars Zalitis, head of an organization working for hbtqi rights.

The law gives, for example, registered couples equal rights to manage the household and offers tax and social insurance benefits. However, it does not offer the same legal conditions as a marriage – such as the right to adopt.

Same-sex marriages were banned in 2005 on the proposal of right-wing politicians, but since then attitudes have changed. The proposal for same-sex partnerships was initially controversial, but gained momentum in 2020 when Catholic Archbishop Zbignevs Stankevics gave his support.

Last year, Latvia made history when Edgars Rinkevics was elected president as the first openly gay head of state in the EU.

The first partnership was registered just a few minutes after midnight, on Monday, at the national library. Among the jubilant crowd was also Justice Minister Inese Libina-Egnere.

Tags
TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Warning of Russian attack – USA closes embassy
1 MIN READ

Warning of Russian attack – USA closes embassy

Putin's new doctrine: "A new attempt"
3 MIN READ

Putin's new doctrine: "A new attempt"

Dozens of men raped the wife: "Will never heal"
3 MIN READ

Dozens of men raped the wife: "Will never heal"

Democracy Profile Testifies in Notorious Case
2 MIN READ

Democracy Profile Testifies in Notorious Case

USA gives Ukraine green light for anti-personnel mines
2 MIN READ

USA gives Ukraine green light for anti-personnel mines

Trump wants wrestling mogul as minister
1 MIN READ

Trump wants wrestling mogul as minister

Zelensky: We will lose the war without US support
1 MIN READ

Zelensky: We will lose the war without US support

UN: No Aid to Northern Gaza for 40 Days
1 MIN READ

UN: No Aid to Northern Gaza for 40 Days

Doctors Without Borders Stop Operations in Haiti
1 MIN READ

Doctors Without Borders Stop Operations in Haiti

Reports: Opposition Leader in Uganda Abducted
1 MIN READ

Reports: Opposition Leader in Uganda Abducted

Trump saw Musk's rocket rise – and fall
1 MIN READ

Trump saw Musk's rocket rise – and fall

USA on Venezuela: The Opposition Leader is President
1 MIN READ

USA on Venezuela: The Opposition Leader is President

Dr. Oz takes a seat in Trump's government
1 MIN READ

Dr. Oz takes a seat in Trump's government

Israel Offers Reward to Free Hostages
2 MIN READ

Israel Offers Reward to Free Hostages

Forssell: Time for EU Proposals on Deportations
3 MIN READ

Forssell: Time for EU Proposals on Deportations

Prosecutors Open to Postponing Trump's Sentence
2 MIN READ

Prosecutors Open to Postponing Trump's Sentence

Haitian Police Killed 28 Alleged Gang Criminals
1 MIN READ

Haitian Police Killed 28 Alleged Gang Criminals

Ukraine Approves Large War Budget for 2025
1 MIN READ

Ukraine Approves Large War Budget for 2025

Minister blamed women's murders on migrants
1 MIN READ

Minister blamed women's murders on migrants

North Macedonia gets top post in NATO
1 MIN READ

North Macedonia gets top post in NATO