CTTO/CNN/REUTERS
Mexico City, Mexico — In a vibrant celebration of love and equality, over a hundred same-sex couples tied the knot on Friday in a group ceremony during Mexico City’s gay pride celebrations. The event, both romantic and political, showcased the ongoing fight for equal rights.
A total of 147 couples participated in the heartwarming gathering, marking their commitment to each other. The ceremony commenced with a performance by the Gay Choir of Mexico City, followed by a civil ritual where couples exchanged vows and formalized their marriages.
“I told myself that today is just a normal day,” said groom Ricardo Mercado. “But I do feel the nervousness and emotion, this nice feeling especially, with all the community here united, you feel a nice energy.”
Mexico City has been at the forefront of same-sex marriage rights, having legalized such unions in 2009. Mass same-sex weddings are a cherished part of the city’s annual Pride Month celebrations.
In 2023, hundreds of same-sex couples and transgender individuals in Mexico City celebrated weddings and the completion of administrative processes to change their gender. That year, around 120 couples fulfilled the requirements to get married under the slogan “Hand in hand, we march with pride,” according to a statement from the city government.
The tradition resumed in 2022 after a two-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic, featuring a large wedding cake adorned with rainbow frosting.
Funded by the local government, the ceremony provides an economical way for couples to marry, reinforcing the city’s commitment to inclusivity and equal rights for all.