Eliana and Osvaldo: The first gay couple to formalize their union in Río Cuarto

Translated by Brian Schwarz

Originally published Friday, December 11, 2009 in "La Voz" (lavoz.com.ar) under the heading Eliana y Osvaldo, la primera pareja gay en formalizar su unión

RIO CUARTO, ARGENTINA - Eliana Alcaraz, 43, and Osvaldo Quevado, 47, became the first gay couple to register their civil union in Río Cuarto in a ceremony carried out at city hall.

Today, the couple of 23 years finally held a certified wedding ceremony, although Eliana was named “Ariel Ceferino”, the name that appears on his national identity document (DNI), according to Telediario Digital.

“I’m happy, proud. We’re going for more…for marriage. Thanks to all who have come with us”, said Eliana, according to Río Cuarto radio station Lv16.

The father of bricklayer Osvaldo appeared emotional at the end of the ceremony. “I’m happy that it turned out like this”, he said. “They are both hard workers. (…) They have been together 22 years. She is a very good person…they get along very well”.

Alcaraz’ mother said of her daughter, “She has a heart of gold; she deserves this”.

One of the witnesses of the union was town councilwoman Viviana Yawny, a proponent of the civil unions project.

Mayor Juan Jure met this noon with the couple to greet them, and he excused himself from being absent [at the ceremony], saying he would be traveling. He did promise, however, to attend the reception tonight.