25 wedding photos show the very first LGBT couples to marry in their countries and the stories behind them

Mia JankowiczMay 10, 2020, 15:07 IST

A composite image of Marcela Gracia Ibeas and Elisa Sánchez Loriga in 1901, and Robyn Peoples and Sharni Edwards in February 2020.José Sellier; Phil Noble/Reuters

LGBTQ couples around the world have fought to have their love recognized with the same marriage rights as straight people.
Thirty countries worldwide allow same-sex marriage, according to the Pew Research Center. But most of these gains did not come without a fight from campaigners and couples in love.
The latest country to legalize it was Northern Ireland, when Sharni Edwards and Robyn Peoples married in February 2020.
Scroll down to see some photos from the very first same-sex marriages in 15 countries. Every picture records not just a couple's big day, but also a historical milestone.
Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

Every wedding is an important day.

But some marriages make history — such as the unions that signal a country's acceptance of LGBT rights for the first time.

In February, 27-year-old Sharni Edwards and Robyn Peoples, 26, became the first gay couple to legally marry in Northern Ireland. The country is the world's latest to legalize same-sex marriage.

"Our love is personal but the law which said we couldn't marry was political," Peoples said, according to the BBC.

"While this campaign ends with Sharni and I saying 'I do,' it started with people saying 'No' to inequality. By standing together, we've made history."

Behind them are the long histories of other LGBT couples and their friends, who tried everything from legal loopholes, to crossing borders, to cross-dressing to get hitched.

Scroll down to see photos from the very first same-sex marriages in 15 countries, and the stories behind them.

Ruqayyah Moynihan and Sophia Ankel contributed reporting.

Read the original article on Insider

Finally, here's Sharni Edwards and Robyn Peoples in Northern Ireland, who married in February 2020. In her wedding speech, Peoples thanked the activists who campaigned alongside them to make same-sex marriage a reality. Cheers, ladies.

Sharni Edwards and Robyn People, the first gay couple to legally marry in Northern Ireland Phil Noble/Reuters

Finally, here's Sharni Edwards and Robyn Peoples in Northern Ireland, who married in February 2020. In her wedding speech, Peoples thanked the activists who campaigned alongside them to make same-sex marriage a reality. Cheers, ladies.

But they weren't the first. In 2012, You Ya-ting and Huang Mei-yu caused a stir with a symbolic wedding at a Buddhist temple in Taoyuan county, northern Taiwan.

You and Huang at their symbolic wedding ceremony in August 2012. Pichi Chuang/Reuters

Over in Asia, Taiwan became the first country to make same-sex marriage legal on May 24, 2019. This couple registered their marriage on that very day, and celebrated with a rainbow-colored party.

Gay newlyweds walk on a giant rainbow flag at a pro same-sex marriage party after registering their marriage in Taipei, Taiwan May 24, 2019. Tyrone Siu/Reuters

Over in Asia, Taiwan became the first country to make same-sex marriage legal on May 24, 2019. This couple registered their marriage on that very day, and celebrated with a rainbow-colored party.

Two years later, Karl Kreile got to marry his longtime partner Bodo Mende in Germany, and became one of the country's first LGBT married couples. "This is a day we've waited a long time for," Kreile said.

Kreile and Mende at their wedding in Berlin. Axel Schmidt/Reuters

Two years later, Karl Kreile got to marry his longtime partner Bodo Mende in Germany, and became one of the country's first LGBT married couples. "This is a day we've waited a long time for," Kreile said.

Across the Atlantic, Richard Dowlin and Cormac Gollogly "raced" to be one of the first married gay couples in County Tipperary, Republic of Ireland, in October 2015.

Dowlin and Gollogly, both 35, smiled after being married in the South Clonmel Community Care Centre in County Tipperary, Ireland, in October 2015. REUTERS/Cathal McNaughton

On the other side of the country, Xu Na wiped tears from Xue Mengyao's face in West Hollywood. They were one of seven Chinese same-sex couples who won a trip to the US to be married after the Supreme Court ruling.

Xu Na (2nd R) wipes tears from the face of her new wife Xue Mengyao (R) at a group wedding for seven same-sex couples from China, in West Hollywood, California, United States, June 9, 2015. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson

On the other side of the country, Xu Na wiped tears from Xue Mengyao's face in West Hollywood. They were one of seven Chinese same-sex couples who won a trip to the US to be married after the Supreme Court ruling.

And a year later, in June 2015, the US Supreme Court ruled that gay marriage was constitutional. Ashby Hardesty and Rodrigo Zamora, one of the first LGBT couples to marry in the country, celebrated with a lot of glitter.

Zamora and Hardesty at the New York City clerk's office in June 2015. Brendan McDermid/Reuters

And a year later, in June 2015, the US Supreme Court ruled that gay marriage was constitutional. Ashby Hardesty and Rodrigo Zamora, one of the first LGBT couples to marry in the country, celebrated with a lot of glitter.

Months later, Sarah Keith and Emma Powell became one of the first gay couples to marry in England and Wales after the two countries changed their laws in 2014.

Keith and Powell in Brighton, where they married. Luke MacGregor/Reuters

Around the same time, Sergio Miranda and Rodrigo Borda married in Uruguay, the second Latin American country to legalize gay marriage. Here they are embracing after their wedding at a civil registrar's office.

Gay couple Sergio Miranda (R) and Rodrigo Borda embrace after getting legally married at a civil registrar's office in Montevideo August 22, 2013. REUTERS/Marcos Brindicci/Files

Around the same time, Sergio Miranda and Rodrigo Borda married in Uruguay, the second Latin American country to legalize gay marriage. Here they are embracing after their wedding at a civil registrar's office.

Next was New Zealand, which legalized gay marriage in 2013. Among the first to marry was this Australian couple, who had won an all-expenses-paid wedding trip from the New Zealand tourist board.

Paul McCarthy and Trent Kandler at their wedding in Wellington, New Zealand, in August 2013. Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images

Next was New Zealand, which legalized gay marriage in 2013. Among the first to marry was this Australian couple, who had won an all-expenses-paid wedding trip from the New Zealand tourist board.

Next was France, when Vincent Autin and Bruno Boileau married in May 2013 in Montpellier, considered France's most gay-friendly town.

Boileau, left, and Autin on their wedding day. Reuters

Diogo and Gustavo also married in Brazil that day.

Diogo (L), who is trans, gives a wedding ring to his partner Gustavo during their wedding ceremony in Campinas, 100 km (62 miles) from Sao Paulo March 21, 2013. REUTERS/Marcos Brindicci/Files

2013 was a big year for weddings. In March, Catia and her transgender partner Regis celebrated their wedding with Champagne in São Paulo, Brazil, after civil partnerships there were legally allowed to be converted into marriages.

Catia (right) and her partner Regis drink Champagne after their wedding ceremony in Campinas, Brazil, on March 21, 2013. REUTERS/Nacho Doce

2013 was a big year for weddings. In March, Catia and her transgender partner Regis celebrated their wedding with Champagne in São Paulo, Brazil, after civil partnerships there were legally allowed to be converted into marriages.

Once Argentina legalized gay marriage, other Latin American couples flocked there to get married, like these two Peruvian women who were unable to wed at home.

Sara Cohello, left, and Yovana Solis showered with rice after their wedding ceremony on February 14, 2011. REUTERS/Marcos Brindicci/Files

Jose Maria Di Bello and Alex Freyre, in Argentina, became the first gay couple to wed in all of Latin America in 2009 after a series of legal battles. But this was fiercely criticized, with images of the couple kissing featured on many protest posters.

Jose Maria Di Bello and his partner Alex Freyre kiss as they get married at a government's registry office in Ushuaia Reuters

Jose Maria Di Bello and Alex Freyre, in Argentina, became the first gay couple to wed in all of Latin America in 2009 after a series of legal battles. But this was fiercely criticized, with images of the couple kissing featured on many protest posters.

Iceland was next. In 2010, it not only amended the law to allow "two individuals" to wed, it also became the first country in the world with an openly gay head of state.

Newlyweds Dufa Drofn Asbjornsdottir and Diana Dogg Hreinsdottir at their wedding in Reykjavik on September 25, 2010. REUTERS/Marcos Brindicci/Files

Iceland was next. In 2010, it not only amended the law to allow "two individuals" to wed, it also became the first country in the world with an openly gay head of state.

Four years later, their marriage became a reality when a new government passed a bill to allow same-sex couples all the same rights as heterosexual couples — except the right to adopt children.

Elena Paixao and Teresa Pires married in Lisbon June 7, 2010. REUTERS/Marcos Brindicci/Files

Four years later, their marriage became a reality when a new government passed a bill to allow same-sex couples all the same rights as heterosexual couples — except the right to adopt children.

The next LGBT wedding — or at least, the next attempt to — was in Portugal in 2006. Here's Helena Paixao and Teresa Pires leaving a registry office in Lisbon after their attempt to marry was rebuffed.

Portugal's Helena Paixao (L) and her girlfriend Teresa Pires walk out of the Public Registration Office after their attempt to marry in Lisbon February 1, 2006. REUTERS/Marcos Brindicci/Files

The next LGBT wedding — or at least, the next attempt to — was in Portugal in 2006. Here's Helena Paixao and Teresa Pires leaving a registry office in Lisbon after their attempt to marry was rebuffed.

Some eleven years before South Africa legalized same-sex marriage, this couple exchanged unofficial vows at the country's first biracial gay wedding.

Venash Mooriken (R) and Neil Millard kiss after taking their vows in the first cross-racial gay marriage of two HIV-positive men in South Africa December 29. Both men were diagnosed with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, in the late 1980s Reuters

But this wasn't the first gay marriage in Spain by a long shot. In 1901, Marcela Gracia Ibeas and Elisa Sánchez Loriga had a Catholic wedding after Sánchez Loriga dressed up as "Mario."

Marcela Gracia Ibeas, left, and Elisa Sánchez Loriga. José Sellier

But this wasn't the first gay marriage in Spain by a long shot. In 1901, Marcela Gracia Ibeas and Elisa Sánchez Loriga had a Catholic wedding after Sánchez Loriga dressed up as "Mario."

Over in Spain, Emilio Menendez hid his sexuality in Gen. Francisco Franco's army and had to wait 30 years before he could legally marry Carlos Baturim in Spain in 2005.

Menendez and Baturim at Tres Cantos, near Madrid, on July 11, 2005. REUTERS/Marcos Brindicci/Files

No attack came, but the state refused to recognize the marriages. Hawkes had used a legal loophole to wed the couples and, when the government refused to register the marriages, his church sued (and eventually won).

Hawkes (center) with Varnell and Bourassa. REUTERS/Marcos Brindicci/Files

No attack came, but the state refused to recognize the marriages. Hawkes had used a legal loophole to wed the couples and, when the government refused to register the marriages, his church sued (and eventually won).

Canada's path to same-sex equality was also long and windy. In 2001, Rev. Brent Hawkes was so nervous marrying the first two gay couples, he wore a bulletproof vest under his robes in case they were attacked.

Two gay couples, Kevin Bourassa and Joe Varnell, (L) and Anne & Elaine Vautour (R) kiss following a wedding ceremony in a Toronto church January 14, 2001.The Ontario Provincial government has vowed not to register the marriages. REUTERS/Marcos Brindicci/Files

Canada's path to same-sex equality was also long and windy. In 2001, Rev. Brent Hawkes was so nervous marrying the first two gay couples, he wore a bulletproof vest under his robes in case they were attacked.

Peter Lemke and Frank Wittebrood — one of the four couples — looked delighted with their wedding rings. But there was a still long way to go with global attitudes toward gay marriage.

Frank Wittebrood (L) and Peter Lemke proudly show their wedding rings during the world's first official gay marriage in Amsterdam, April 1, 2001. REUTERS/Marcos Brindicci/Files

Peter Lemke and Frank Wittebrood — one of the four couples — looked delighted with their wedding rings. But there was a still long way to go with global attitudes toward gay marriage.

The Netherlands was the first country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage in December 2000. These four couples wed at Amsterdam's town hall literally minutes after the law came into effect on April 1, 2001.

Peter Lemke, Frank Wittebrood, Ton Jansen, Louis Rogmans, Helene Faasen, Anne-Marie Thus, Dolf Pasker and Geert Kasteel (L-R) cut the cake after their wedding ceremony in the town hall of Amsterdam, April 1, 2001. REUTERS/Marcos Brindicci/Files

The Netherlands was the first country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage in December 2000. These four couples wed at Amsterdam's town hall literally minutes after the law came into effect on April 1, 2001.

People are rallying behind Chrissy Teigen and Marie Kondo after food writer Alison Roman appeared to criticize their successful brands in an interview

Cookies on the Business Insider India website

25 wedding photos show the very first LGBT couples to marry in their countries and the stories behind them

Finally, here's Sharni Edwards and Robyn Peoples in Northern Ireland, who married in February 2020. In her wedding speech, Peoples thanked the activists who campaigned alongside them to make same-sex marriage a reality. Cheers, ladies.

But they weren't the first. In 2012, You Ya-ting and Huang Mei-yu caused a stir with a symbolic wedding at a Buddhist temple in Taoyuan county, northern Taiwan.

Over in Asia, Taiwan became the first country to make same-sex marriage legal on May 24, 2019. This couple registered their marriage on that very day, and celebrated with a rainbow-colored party.

Two years later, Karl Kreile got to marry his longtime partner Bodo Mende in Germany, and became one of the country's first LGBT married couples. "This is a day we've waited a long time for," Kreile said.

Across the Atlantic, Richard Dowlin and Cormac Gollogly "raced" to be one of the first married gay couples in County Tipperary, Republic of Ireland, in October 2015.

On the other side of the country, Xu Na wiped tears from Xue Mengyao's face in West Hollywood. They were one of seven Chinese same-sex couples who won a trip to the US to be married after the Supreme Court ruling.

And a year later, in June 2015, the US Supreme Court ruled that gay marriage was constitutional. Ashby Hardesty and Rodrigo Zamora, one of the first LGBT couples to marry in the country, celebrated with a lot of glitter.

Months later, Sarah Keith and Emma Powell became one of the first gay couples to marry in England and Wales after the two countries changed their laws in 2014.

Around the same time, Sergio Miranda and Rodrigo Borda married in Uruguay, the second Latin American country to legalize gay marriage. Here they are embracing after their wedding at a civil registrar's office.

Next was New Zealand, which legalized gay marriage in 2013. Among the first to marry was this Australian couple, who had won an all-expenses-paid wedding trip from the New Zealand tourist board.

Next was France, when Vincent Autin and Bruno Boileau married in May 2013 in Montpellier, considered France's most gay-friendly town.

Diogo and Gustavo also married in Brazil that day.

2013 was a big year for weddings. In March, Catia and her transgender partner Regis celebrated their wedding with Champagne in São Paulo, Brazil, after civil partnerships there were legally allowed to be converted into marriages.

Once Argentina legalized gay marriage, other Latin American couples flocked there to get married, like these two Peruvian women who were unable to wed at home.

Jose Maria Di Bello and Alex Freyre, in Argentina, became the first gay couple to wed in all of Latin America in 2009 after a series of legal battles. But this was fiercely criticized, with images of the couple kissing featured on many protest posters.

Iceland was next. In 2010, it not only amended the law to allow "two individuals" to wed, it also became the first country in the world with an openly gay head of state.

Four years later, their marriage became a reality when a new government passed a bill to allow same-sex couples all the same rights as heterosexual couples — except the right to adopt children.

The next LGBT wedding — or at least, the next attempt to — was in Portugal in 2006. Here's Helena Paixao and Teresa Pires leaving a registry office in Lisbon after their attempt to marry was rebuffed.

Some eleven years before South Africa legalized same-sex marriage, this couple exchanged unofficial vows at the country's first biracial gay wedding.

But this wasn't the first gay marriage in Spain by a long shot. In 1901, Marcela Gracia Ibeas and Elisa Sánchez Loriga had a Catholic wedding after Sánchez Loriga dressed up as "Mario."

Over in Spain, Emilio Menendez hid his sexuality in Gen. Francisco Franco's army and had to wait 30 years before he could legally marry Carlos Baturim in Spain in 2005.

No attack came, but the state refused to recognize the marriages. Hawkes had used a legal loophole to wed the couples and, when the government refused to register the marriages, his church sued (and eventually won).

Canada's path to same-sex equality was also long and windy. In 2001, Rev. Brent Hawkes was so nervous marrying the first two gay couples, he wore a bulletproof vest under his robes in case they were attacked.

Peter Lemke and Frank Wittebrood — one of the four couples — looked delighted with their wedding rings. But there was a still long way to go with global attitudes toward gay marriage.

The Netherlands was the first country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage in December 2000. These four couples wed at Amsterdam's town hall literally minutes after the law came into effect on April 1, 2001.