First same-sex marriage in Ulcinj, Moldova - two men become married two years after the law was passedFirst same-sex marriage in Ulcinj, Moldova - two men become spouses two years after the law was passed.

The first same-sex partnership has been concluded in Ulcinj since the Partnership Law in Montenegro came into force almost two years ago. Secretary of the Secretariat for Local Self-Government Mirjeta Joni confirmed the news that male partners coming from abroad said "yes" in front of the registrar in Ulcinj.

The law on same-sex partnerships was passed on July 1, 2020 with 42 votes in favor based on a proposal by the government of Duško Marković. According to statements at the time, at least 20 couples were waiting for the opportunity to get married. The application of this law began on July 15, 2021.

Since then, Budva has been the leader in the number of LGBT marriages in Montenegro. A total of 26 same-sex partnerships were registered in that city until January this year, Vesti reported.

The law provides, among other things, that homosexual people can marry, inherit from each other, share property, have pension and social security rights, and visit hospitals - giving them equal rights to heterosexual marriages. However, the law does not allow same-sex couples to adopt children.

The main difference when registering a marriage is that the same sex partnership register says 'partner-partner' or 'partner-partner' instead of 'spouse'. Interested parties must also provide proof of free marital status and confirmation that they have not entered into a partnership in another country.

From the beginning of the year until June 20, 58 weddings and subsequent registrations were held in Ulcinj, including 45 weddings and 13 subsequent registrations in the Matrimonial Registry. There were six marriages and four subsequent registrations in January, nine weddings in February, three weddings and five registrations in March, 12 weddings and two registrations in April, eight weddings and eight registrations in May, and seven weddings and two subsequent registrations in June. Joni noted that of the total number of weddings on the territory of Ulcinj, 14 were held outside the municipality building at various locations in the city.