Key facts
- Bolivia's first legally recognized same-sex marriage occurred this month for Fabiana Justiniano and Scarlett Rocha.
- The couple won a court ruling in March 2026 after a lengthy legal process.
- Activists have already received inquiries from five to 10 other couples interested in same-sex marriage.
- While civil unions are recognized, marriage offers broader protections.
- Nationwide same-sex marriage is not yet established through administrative rules.
The marriage of a same-sex couple in Bolivia this month could prompt other couples to seek similar recognition, potentially opening a new chapter in the push for LGBT rights in the socially conservative nation. Fabiana Justiniano and Scarlett Rocha, who applied to marry in October 2022, won a ruling in March 2026 that cleared the way for their wedding, marking Bolivia's first legally recognized same-sex marriage.
Rocha described the process as long and filled with uncertainty, while Justiniano found peace in the union, realizing their shared assets now belonged exclusively to them. However, the Bolivian court's ruling currently applies only to their specific case, and nationwide access to same-sex marriage is not yet established through administrative rules, pending further Constitutional Court decisions.
Mateo Rodrigo, a lawyer with Equal Bolivia who represented the couple, stated that the ruling has already generated interest, with five to 10 couples approaching the organization. Many remain hesitant due to the nearly four-year legal battle Justiniano and Rocha endured.
Same-sex civil unions gained legal standing after a 2020 case involving David Aruquipa and Guido Montaño. It took until 2023 for further court rulings to broadly enable the registration of these unions. Paola Tapia, from Bolivia's Ombudsman's Office, reported that 148 same-sex civil unions have been recognized since then, though she noted they carry fewer protections than marriage. Montaño added that marriage opens more doors than civil unions, improving the situation for those who can choose between the two.