Bolivia has celebrated its first civil marriage between two women, marking a historic development for the rights of same-sex couples in a country where marriage equality is not yet guaranteed nationwide.
The marriage took place in Santa Cruz de la Sierra on 7 August 2026, following almost four years of litigation. Represented by IGUAL Bolivia, the couple pursued a lengthy administrative process before bringing two constitutional actions seeking recognition of their relationship. In March 2026, a constitutional chamber ruled in their favour and ordered the civil registry to recognise their union as a civil marriage.
Although the decision applies only to the couple concerned, it could have wider implications for same-sex couples in Bolivia. Under Bolivian law, the Plurinational Constitutional Court (TCP) will review the decision, providing an opportunity for the court to establish a precedent concerning marriage equality. Bolivia’s Constitution currently defines marriage in terms that limit it to different-sex couples.
The case follows years of litigation concerning the legal recognition of same-sex relationships in Bolivia. In 2023, following a separate legal challenge, the TCP upheld the recognition of same-sex civil unions and called on lawmakers to bring national legislation into line with international human rights standards.
The latest decision also builds upon the 2017 advisory opinion of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, which held that the rights protected under the American Convention on Human Rights in relation to the family relationships of heterosexual couples must also extend to same-sex couples. The opinion provides an authoritative interpretation of the Convention for states that have ratified it, including Bolivia.
The development places Bolivia alongside a growing number of Latin American countries that recognise marriage equality nationwide, including Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, Mexico and Uruguay.
The marriage nevertheless highlights the continuing gap between the recognition of same-sex relationships through individual judicial decisions and the establishment of comprehensive legal equality. The couple’s recognition followed years of administrative proceedings and constitutional litigation, demonstrating the obstacles that can arise where legal protection depends upon individual couples challenging existing restrictions through the courts.
The first same-sex civil marriage therefore represents both a significant milestone and a further step in the continuing legal and human rights debate over marriage equality in Bolivia.