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First same-sex marriage in Spain

The 1901 union of two women in Galicia that preceded legal recognition by over a century

First same-sex marriage in Spain: Rótulo da rúa Marcela e Elisa na Coruña, pioneiras do matrimonio entre persoas do mesmo sexo.
Photo: Jglamela, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Two Galician teachers married in a Catholic ceremony in 1901 by adopting male identities. This event stands as the earliest recorded same-sex marriage attempt in Spain. It occurred more than a hundred years before national legislation permitted such unions.

When is First same-sex marriage in Spain kept?

First same-sex marriage in Spain is kept on historical precedent; legal since 2005.

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In 1901, two women in Galicia secured a Catholic marriage by using false identities. This union remains the first documented same-sex marriage in Spain. The couple faced severe social backlash and eventually fled to South America. Their story highlights early resistance to restrictive marriage laws.

The 1901 ceremony

Marcela Gracia Ibeas and Elisa Sánchez Loriga met while training as teachers in A Coruña. Their relationship deepened beyond societal norms, leading to separation and reunion. In June 1901, Elisa adopted the male identity of Mario Sánchez. She presented this fabricated past to secure a marriage certificate. The Catholic priest Víctor Cortiella performed the ceremony at the parish church of Saint George. The couple spent their wedding night in a local boarding house. The civil registry never annulled the record.

Social consequences

Neighbors soon recognized the deception, labeling it a marriage without a man. Local newspapers exposed the couple, resulting in job loss and excommunication. Authorities demanded a medical examination to verify gender. The couple claimed hermaphroditism to avoid further charges. They were pursued by the Civil Guard and escaped through Vigo and Porto. They ultimately boarded a ship for Argentina, where they lived under new names.

Later life in exile

In Argentina, Marcela gave birth to a daughter. Elisa married a Danish immigrant named Christian Jensen under the alias Maria. She refused to consummate this union, prompting annulment proceedings. Medical tests confirmed her biological sex, preventing criminal charges against her. Records cease after these events. Rumors about their deaths remain unverified. The original 1901 marriage certificate remains valid in Spanish archives.

Legal evolution

Same-sex marriage became legal in Spain in 2005 through Law 13/2005. The first official union under this law occurred in July 2005 in Tres Cantos. Another followed shortly in Barcelona. These modern ceremonies contrast sharply with the clandestine 1901 event. The historical precedent is now celebrated as a milestone for LGBTQ rights in the region.

How First same-sex marriage in Spain is kept

The 1901 event was not kept as a tradition but occurred as a secret act. Today, it is commemorated through historical recognition and awards. The Marcela and Elisa Award honors contributions to LGBTQ rights. Activists continue to seek public recognition, such as naming streets after the couple.

When and where

The original ceremony took place on 8 June 1901. Legal same-sex marriages began on 11 July 2005 following national legislation.

The historic event occurred in A Coruña, Galicia. Modern legal marriages are available nationwide in Spain.

What First same-sex marriage in Spain means

The 1901 union symbolizes early resistance to gendered marriage constraints. It represents courage in defying social norms. The valid certificate serves as proof of historical existence.

Who takes part

  • Elisa Sánchez Loriga: Adopted the male identity of Mario Sánchez to marry
  • Marcela Gracia Ibeas: Participated in the ceremony as the bride
  • Father Víctor Cortiella: Performed the Catholic wedding ceremony
  • Christian Jensen: Married Elisa later in Argentina under an alias

Then and now

The 1901 marriage is recognized as a historical precedent. Same-sex couples can now marry legally across Spain. The story inspires ongoing advocacy for LGBTQ visibility.

First same-sex marriage in Spain
First same-sex marriage in Spain. Photo: José Sellier, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
First same-sex marriage in Spain: A Coruña - Iglesia de San Jorge
First same-sex marriage in Spain: A Coruña - Iglesia de San Jorge. Photo: Zarateman, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
First same-sex marriage in Spain
First same-sex marriage in Spain. Photo: Juan Fernández Latorre et al., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
First same-sex marriage in Spain: Marcela Gracia Ibeas and Elisa Sánchez Loriga
First same-sex marriage in Spain: Marcela Gracia Ibeas and Elisa Sánchez Loriga. Photo: Unknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Questions people ask about First same-sex marriage in Spain

When is First same-sex marriage in Spain kept?

First same-sex marriage in Spain is kept on historical precedent; legal since 2005.

Is same-sex marriage legal in Spain today?

Yes. Same-sex marriage has been legal since 2005 under Law 13/2005. Couples can register their unions nationwide.

What happened to the couple from 1901?

They faced persecution and fled to Argentina. Elisa later married a man under an alias. Their final resting places remain unknown.

Was the 1901 marriage ever annulled?

No. The Catholic Church and civil registry never annulled the 1901 certificate. It remains a valid historical document.

See also

Same-sex marriage in SpainThe national law that legalized same-sex marriage and adoption rights for couples in Spain.Same-sex marriage in PortugalThe legal recognition of marriage between two people of the same sex in Portugal.Same-sex marriage in ArgentinaThe legal recognition of same-sex unions that made Argentina the first nation in Latin America to permit them.Same-sex marriage in BrazilThe nationwide legal recognition of same-sex unions following a 2013 judicial ruling.

Good reading and sources

Where this page comes from

The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "First same-sex marriage in Spain", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryShaadi rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.

It may contain mistakes. Wedding customs differ from one family, village and community to the next, and the people who keep them know them best. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-05.

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The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.

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