INTERNATIONAL: Chileans Javier Silva and Jaime Nazar became the first same-sex couple to be wed in the South American country’s history on Thursday, 10 March. Although Chile allowed same-sex couples to register for Civil Union Agreements and be eligible for some legal benefits since 2015, Chile’s Congress only just approved legislation guaranteeing legal rights for the LGBTQ communities this last December.

Silva and Nazar had signed a Civil Union Agreement together three years ago, after being in a relationship for four years prior. They wanted to start a family and now, have two children; one who is 20-months-old, and another who is just four months old.

They said that they believed that marriage was an important step for their family, as well as to be recognized by the whole country as equals. They express that they are proud to be a part of this historic moment for their conservative country. Silva and Nazar are proud for their children to be recognized as having two fathers and excited for their future, to see cultural changes and new narratives taking place in Chile.

Silva added that without the support from decades of human rights and LGBTQ groups, as well as their families and different institutes, their wedding day could not have happened.

Chile's President-Elect, Gabriel Boric, who takes office on Friday, posted a congratulatory message to the couple on his official Twitter account. He wrote, "My congratulations to Jaime and Javier for being the first couple to marry under the new #EqualMarriage law. To continue advancing for a Chile with equal rights and freedoms for all people,"

In recent years, Chile has been making progress in the field of LGBTQ rights, despite a long history of conservative traditions.