The Tico Times Online Daily Page

Daily Edition: San José, Costa Rica, August 14, 2003

PETITIONING FOR LOVE: Lawyer Castrillo says that matrimony is the only way to make love he shares between his partner recognized by all. See related story.
TT Photo / Jon Gambrell

Lawyer Files For
Legal Gay Wedding
With hopes of marrying his male companion, a Tico lawyer filed charges Tuesday before the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court (Sala IV) to abolish the laws prohibiting, same-sex marriage.
(Click for more)

Arias Asks Ortega to Focus
On Nicaraguan Economy
Managua, Nicaragua (AFP) -- During a meeting yesterday in Managua with Daniel Ortega, leader of Nicaragua's main opposition party Sandinista Front for National Liberation (FSLN), former Costa Rican President and Nobel Peace Laureate Oscar Arias (1986-1990) asked Nicaragua's leaders to put aside their political differences and concentrate on the country's economic and social problems.
(Click for more)

Tico Sub-17 Team Debuts
With Tie Against Nigeria
Helsinki, Finland (AFP) -- The Costa Rican youth (under 17) national team made its debut in this year's FIFA Youth World Cup, tying 1-1 with its Nigerian counterpart yesterday.
(Click for more)

August 14

Expo Fair for Mothers
Everybody is welcome to visit this fair. Visitors will be able to enjoy and buy a variety of crafts and enjoy a nice meal. Take your mother today! Through Sun., Parque de Los Angéles in Heredia and take advantage of the good prices. Info: 290-2153, 290-5658.

Embassy Closed for Holiday
The U.S. Embassy announces that it will be closed on Fri., Aug. 15 due to Costa Rica Mother’s Day Celebration, it will have a regular schedule on Monday (8 a.m. - 4 p.m.). Info: 220-3939, ext. 2042.

Rock for Mothers
María Pretiz is performing tonight as a treat for mothers and the rest of her audience at 8:30 p.m., at Aya Sophia Restaurant. Assistants can also enjoy the best of the Mediterranean and Turkish fare. Info: 221-7185.

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Lawyer Files For
Legal Gay Wedding
By Jon Gambrell and Amanda Schoenberg
Tico Times Staff

With hopes of marrying his male companion, a Tico lawyer filed charges Tuesday before the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court (Sala IV) to abolish the laws prohibiting, same-sex marriage.

Lawyer Yashin Castrillo filed the lawsuit in Sala IV, Costa Rica's Constitutional Court, on July 29, with hopes of marrying his partner, whom the lawyer declined to identify.

Castrillo, who formerly worked with the Judicial Investigative Police (OIJ) and as a prosecutor, filed charges against the Family Court of Alajuela since he and his partner were first denied there.

"It was a decision between my partner and me to formalize our relationship," Castrillo, 35, told The Tico Times Tuesday night. "My partner and I love each and want to spend the rest of our lives together. The only way to formalize our love is through matrimony."

Castrillo today is arguing his case before San José's Supreme Family Tribunal and said that if he loses his case there, the only avenue left is through the Constitutional Court lawsuit.

While the idea of gay unions has slowly gained acceptance in many parts of the world, Costa Rica has only slowly been coming to terms with sexual diversity. After facing systematic discrimination at the hands of police during the '80s, Costa Rica held its first Gay Pride festival in June, with several hundred people showing up in support (TT, Daily Page, June 30).

While homosexual relationships have just begun to be accepted socially in this strongly Catholic country, rules against such marriages are murky at best.

Ivannia Monge, lawyer for the National Women's Institute (INAMU) and specialist in penal rights, said gay marriage is prohibited by law, but not by the Constitution. The Family Code, adopted in 1972 and reformed in 1995, expressly states that marriages between people of the same sex are illegal, while Article 170 of the Penal Code states that couples who get married anyway face a sentence of six months to 3 years in prison. Lawyers and notaries who perform gay marriages also face punishment at the judge's discretion.

In response to Castrillo's petition against the constitutionality of both the Family Code and Article 170 of the Penal Code, the Sala IV will have to determine the definition of marriage, and whether the concept in and of itself is an exclusively heterosexual one.

"What he is proposing -- exhausting all avenues to oppose this law for unconstitutionality -- is very interesting," said Monge.

According to Francisco Madrigal, director and administrator of the Center of Investigation and Promotion of Human Rights in Central America, there is also conflict in the constitution between the rights of individuals and the power of the Catholic Church, the official religion of the country.

"Article 33 of the political constitution says all people are equal under the law," he said. "Therefore, any law against people of the same sex marrying is against their rights. The Catholic Church, the country's official religion, doesn't recognize the rights of gays. The church conflicts with the rights of the people."

Madrigal said his organization has no official opinion on the lawsuit, which forces the issue of a legally recognized religious gay ceremony. His concerns spring more from the issue of guaranteed rights, such as same-sex couples receiving the same benefits from government Social Security, health care and housing credits. He said the center is currently examining ways to present a legal union concept to members of Congress next year, with hopes of pulling same-sex couples from legal oblivion.

"We have seen a change in Costa Rican society about acceptance of sexual diversity," he said. "We (also) have legislators in the country who believe couples should have the same rights."

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Arias Asks Ortega to Focus
On Nicaraguan Economy

POINTING FINGERS: Arias critisized Ortega and Bolaños for putting political disputes ahead of Nicaragua's social and economic problems.
TT Photo / AFP

Managua, Nicaragua (AFP) -- During a meeting yesterday in Managua with Daniel Ortega, leader of Nicaragua's main opposition party Sandinista Front for National Liberation (FSLN), former Costa Rican President and Nobel Peace Laureate Oscar Arias (1986-1990) asked Nicaragua's leaders to put aside their political differences and concentrate on the country's economic and social problems.

"I told Daniel that everyone here (Nicaragua) focuses on political issues and that no one is worried about economic and social issues, economic integration or international markets," Arias told reporters.

Arias arrived in Nicaragua to take part in a conference on "Institutions, Integrity and Transparency" organized by the United Nations Development Program (PNUD).

"I was unable to speak on important issues such as international trade because no one in Nicaragua cares about the topic," Arias said. "They don't want to discuss investment until they overcome political crises such as the one they are living right now. They will have a hard time attracting foreign investment."

In Nicaragua, "The war with guns is over, but a verbal war ensues. They need to overcome this sometimes excessive rhetoric and move forward," he said.

Arias criticized the government of President Enrique Bolaños for failing to create a short-term development plan. "President Bolaños talked to me about a 25-year development plan, I wonder what the plan is for tomorrow and the following week," he said. "Hopefully, the country will focus more on the fight against poverty."

Ortega dismissed the comments, assuring that his party has always worried about the country's poorest population.

"Our agenda is very clear," he said. "These last weeks and years our agenda has been centered on protecting the country's poor, jobless and foodless population. We've insisted on creating a national consensus to convince the International Monetary Fund to forgive our foreign debt as a way to bring relief to our poor."

-AFP

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Tico Sub-17 Team Debuts
With Tie Against Nigeria

A DRAW: Nigeria's Ezekiel Bala (L) fights for the ball with Costa Rica's Daniel Arce at the Veritas Stadium during the U17 World Championships.
TT Photo / AFP

Helsinki, Finland (AFP) -- The Costa Rican youth (under 17) national team made its debut in this year's FIFA Youth World Cup, tying 1-1 with its Nigerian counterpart yesterday.

Coming into the game as underdogs, the Tico squad started slow, suffering an initial goal by Nigerian striker Ezequiel Bala during the ninth minute. When all hope seemed lost, Josimar Arias scored the tying goal at minute 83.

In other Round 1 World Cup action, Colombia and Mexico fought to a double shutout, Argentina defeated Australia 2-0 and host Finland defeated China 2-1.

-AFP

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