Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

World

Couple celebrate first same-sex wedding in conservative Ecuador

-

Alexandra Chavez and Michelle Aviles have made history in conservative Ecuador by becoming the first couple to take advantage of a new law allowing same-sex marriage.

Chavez, 41, and Aviles, 23, were married in a civil ceremony in the southwestern city of Guayaquil, Ecuador's largest, on Thursday.

It became possible after Ecuador's Constitutional Court approved same-sex marriage on June 12.

Chavez, a burly security guard, admitted to feeling scared that the day might be ruined by conservative protesters, who had demanded the dismissal of the Constitutional Court's judges following last month's decision.

"I feel more supported by the laws. I know that many people don't think it's a good thing ... but we're not hurting anyone, we're not depriving anyone of anything, and it's a normal life," said Aviles, a kitchen hand.

Ecuador's highest court approved same-sex marriage in a historic June 12 decision that sparked ...
Ecuador's highest court approved same-sex marriage in a historic June 12 decision that sparked protests in the conservative Catholic country
Marcos PIN, AFP

However, winning over her family has been a tougher task with regards the relationship, and they're not even aware of the wedding.

When they find out "it's going to be boom! I don't know if they're going to be horrified ... but they don't look after me, Alex is my engine and everything," Aviles told AFP.

Distant cousins, they began a relationship when Aviles was 19 and Chavez had just returned home from Spain, where she had emigrated in 2002.

Their relationship began as they ran a food sales business together and, faced with a family that wouldn't accept it, Aviles moved in with Chavez.

"The hardest then was my dad. He's accepted it, more or less, but we're still estranged," said Aviles.

Same-sex marriage is also legal in Argentina  Brazil  Colombia and Uruguay  but gay couples cannot a...
Same-sex marriage is also legal in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Uruguay, but gay couples cannot adopt children in Ecuador
Marcos PIN, AFP

Chavez had long hidden her sexuality from her parents -- who are now dead -- but she came clean while living in Spain following an accident in which her then-partner died.

"It was a little weight off my shoulders. I think they already knew, but it's different when it's said out loud," said Chavez.

While gay marriage is now legal in Ecuador, as it is in fellow South American countries Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Uruguay, same-sex couples are still barred from adopting children.

Alexandra Chavez and Michelle Aviles have made history in conservative Ecuador by becoming the first couple to take advantage of a new law allowing same-sex marriage.

Chavez, 41, and Aviles, 23, were married in a civil ceremony in the southwestern city of Guayaquil, Ecuador’s largest, on Thursday.

It became possible after Ecuador’s Constitutional Court approved same-sex marriage on June 12.

Chavez, a burly security guard, admitted to feeling scared that the day might be ruined by conservative protesters, who had demanded the dismissal of the Constitutional Court’s judges following last month’s decision.

“I feel more supported by the laws. I know that many people don’t think it’s a good thing … but we’re not hurting anyone, we’re not depriving anyone of anything, and it’s a normal life,” said Aviles, a kitchen hand.

Ecuador's highest court approved same-sex marriage in a historic June 12 decision that sparked ...

Ecuador's highest court approved same-sex marriage in a historic June 12 decision that sparked protests in the conservative Catholic country
Marcos PIN, AFP

However, winning over her family has been a tougher task with regards the relationship, and they’re not even aware of the wedding.

When they find out “it’s going to be boom! I don’t know if they’re going to be horrified … but they don’t look after me, Alex is my engine and everything,” Aviles told AFP.

Distant cousins, they began a relationship when Aviles was 19 and Chavez had just returned home from Spain, where she had emigrated in 2002.

Their relationship began as they ran a food sales business together and, faced with a family that wouldn’t accept it, Aviles moved in with Chavez.

“The hardest then was my dad. He’s accepted it, more or less, but we’re still estranged,” said Aviles.

Same-sex marriage is also legal in Argentina  Brazil  Colombia and Uruguay  but gay couples cannot a...

Same-sex marriage is also legal in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Uruguay, but gay couples cannot adopt children in Ecuador
Marcos PIN, AFP

Chavez had long hidden her sexuality from her parents — who are now dead — but she came clean while living in Spain following an accident in which her then-partner died.

“It was a little weight off my shoulders. I think they already knew, but it’s different when it’s said out loud,” said Chavez.

While gay marriage is now legal in Ecuador, as it is in fellow South American countries Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Uruguay, same-sex couples are still barred from adopting children.

AFP
Written By

With 2,400 staff representing 100 different nationalities, AFP covers the world as a leading global news agency. AFP provides fast, comprehensive and verified coverage of the issues affecting our daily lives.

You may also like:

World

Calling for urgent action is the international medical humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)

World

Immigration is a symptom of a much deeper worldwide problem.

Business

Saudi Aramco President & CEO Amin Nasser speaks during the CERAWeek oil summit in Houston, Texas - Copyright AFP Mark FelixPointing to the still...

Business

A recent article in the Wall Street Journal infers that some workers might be falling out of the job market altogether.