Tulum’s first gay marriage is celebrated

Two women have gotten married in Tulum, marking Quintana Roo's first same-sex wedding.
Two women have gotten married in Tulum, marking Quintana Roo’s first same-sex wedding.

Airalí Fuentes, 35, and Molly Ann Sturdevant, 32, married yesterday at the Civil Registry of Tulum, capping off an 18-month legal battle.

“We are very happy to celebrate and share our love with all the community in the state of Quintana Roo,” said Airalí, who is from Coahuila. Her new wife is from Tennessee, in the United States.

“I am very happy for her, because it marked a turning point in the history of this city. They are married and will have the same rights as a heterosexual couple.” said Airalí’s sister.

The Civil Registry had refused to allow the two women to exchange vows, but courts cited the Mexican Constitution’s first article, declaring that everyone is equal before the law and discrimination based on gender, sex, race, religion, creed or sexual orientation.

The couple was surrounded by family, friends and members of pro-sexual diversity organizations in Quintana Roo.

A year ago, neighboring state Yucatan saw its first same-sex nuptials when Javier Alberto Carrillo Esquivel and Ricardo Arturo Gongora became the first gay couple to marry there.

Since 2013, Mexican Supreme Court has strongly backed marriage equality, but Mexico’s complicated legal system means couples still have to sue to marry.

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