RIGA — Maksims Ringo and Janis Locs became the first Latvian same-sex couple to register their partnership on Monday (July 1), shortly after midnight when a new law came into force.

After the event at a legal office in Riga's historic centre, the couple exchanged silver rings at a party in the city's main library and hope to get gold rings if and when Latvia legalises same-sex marriage, Ringo said.

"We are together for five and a half years... so for us, it's mostly practical", said Ringo, noting improved hospital visiting rights for example under the new law.

Homosexuality remains a divisive topic in Latvia, whose legislators in 2005 changed the constitution to define marriage as only allowed between a man and a woman.

The Latvian parliament voted last November to formally legislate same-sex civil unions, after 46 same-sex couples successfully challenged courts to get recognised as a family unit in the eyes of the law.

This allowed partners in such a union to have hospital visiting rights, as well as giving some tax and social security benefits. However they are not be able to adopt children and continue to face inheritance issues.

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