The first couple who have registered a same-sex partnership in Latvia, Maksims Ringo and Janis Locs, pose for a photo in Riga, Latvia June 27, 2024.RIGA — Maksims Ringo and Janis Locs became the first Latvian same-sex couple to register their partnership on Monday , shortly after midnight when a new law came into force.
"We are together for five and a half years... so for us, it's mostly practical", said Ringo, noting improved hospital visiting rights for example under the new law. The Latvian parliament voted last November to formally legislate same-sex civil unions, after 46 same-sex couples successfully challenged courts to get recognised as a family unit in the eyes of the law.
The change in Latvia means there are now only five EU countries where people in same-sex relationships cannot register civil unions: Bulgaria, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Slovakia.