Civil Partnerships Introduced in Latvia

LGBTQ Nation newswire reports that two Latvian men, Maksims Ringo and Janis Locs, have become the first same-sex couple to register their partnership as a civil union under a new nationwide law that went into effect on Monday. Other couples have begun lining up outside of the country’s notary offices, eager to register their own unions as quickly as possible, one national gay rights activist noted.  There are now only five countries in the European Union that don’t offer civil unions to same-sex couples: Bulgaria, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia.  Kaspars Zālītis, leader of the Dzīvesbiedri (Life Partners) equality movement, said in a press release: “The introduction of partnership in Latvia is an important step towards a more equal, inclusive and empathetic society, in which each person feels valued and can realize his or her potential both in personal and professional life.”  In July 2023, Latvia swore in Edgars Rinkēvičs, the country’s first out LGBTQ+ president.  “Latvia is a sovereign, free, and democratic country,” he said in his inaugural address to parliament. “But it must be legal and fair for all. Every person in Latvia, its citizens, must feel that they belong, legally protected and safe.”  Rinkēvičs is an extremely popular political leader and has huge approval ratings from the Latvian people.