BOGOTÁ — Colombian LGBTQ+ organisations and government representatives marked the tenth anniversary of same-sex marriage this week, calling for stronger legal protections as celebrations continued across the country. The 2016 Constitutional Court ruling made Colombia one of the first Latin American nations to recognise marriage equality.

The anniversary commemorations, led by groups including Colombia Diversa, featured events in Bogotá and other cities highlighting the rights secured over the past decade. Advocates pointed to the Constitutional Court's April 2016 decision, which extended civil marriage to same-sex couples after years of legal challenges and partial recognitions.

Colombia Diversa and allied organisations used the occasion to press for additional measures, including stronger anti-discrimination enforcement and protections for transgender people. Activists said violence against LGBTQ+ Colombians remained a persistent concern despite legal advances.

The commemorations come as several Latin American countries debate the scope of LGBTQ+ protections, with Colombia frequently cited as a regional reference point. Government officials and rights groups framed the anniversary as both a celebration and a reminder of unfinished work.

A representative of Colombia Diversa said the decade of marriage equality represented progress but warned that legal recognition alone did not guarantee safety or equal treatment in daily life.