Ana Margarita Rojas and Elena Hernáiz have shared their lives for more than three decades and raised a son together. Their neighbors in Venezuela's capital recognize them as a couple, never questioning them when they refer to each other as "mi esposa" — "my wife." Their social acceptance, however, does not translate into legal recognition. Venezuela remains on a shrinking list of South American countries that do not allow same-sex marriages. This despite the fact that Venezuela's highest court has had seven years to rule on a key case and President Nicolás Maduro has asked lawmakers to consider the matter. This inaction has left couples and activists wondering whether a country steeped in a political, social and economic crises will ever grant them the right to marry. Many see a government that ignores them and an opposition that prioritizes other issues. "We are in a country where being a citizen is already an uphill struggle, being recognized as a minority citizen is a higher uphill struggle," said the 59-year-old Rojas. "Here, there is great ignorance and great disrespect for citizens ... So, if I don't recognize you as an opponent, I don't recognize you as a professional, I don't recognize you as a citizen, I'm not going to recognize you as LGBT." Venezuela's Supreme Court of Justice, one of many government bodies seen as loyal to Maduro, formally agreed in 2016 to weigh in on the matter after receiving a case a year earlier, but it has not issued a ruling.⁠ ⁠ Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork⁠ ?️‍??????⁠ ?: lena Hernáiz, left, and Ana Margarita Rojas, smile during an interview in Caracas, Venezuela / AP / Ariana Cubillos

Ana Margarita Rojas and Elena Hernáiz have shared their lives for more than three decades and raised a son together. Their neighbors in Venezuela's capital recognize them as a couple, never questioning them when they refer to each other as "mi esposa" — "my wife." Their social acceptance, however, does not translate into legal recognition. Venezuela remains on a shrinking list of South American countries that do not allow same-sex marriages. This despite the fact that Venezuela's highest court has had seven years to rule on a key case and President Nicolás Maduro has asked lawmakers to consider the matter. This inaction has left couples and activists wondering whether a country steeped in a political, social and economic crises will ever grant them the right to marry. Many see a government that ignores them and an opposition that prioritizes other issues. "We are in a country where being a citizen is already an uphill struggle, being recognized as a minority citizen is a higher uphill struggle," said the 59-year-old Rojas. "Here, there is great ignorance and great disrespect for citizens ... So, if I don't recognize you as an opponent, I don't recognize you as a professional, I don't recognize you as a citizen, I'm not going to recognize you as LGBT." Venezuela's Supreme Court of Justice, one of many government bodies seen as loyal to Maduro, formally agreed in 2016 to weigh in on the matter after receiving a case a year earlier, but it has not issued a ruling.⁠
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Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork⁠
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?: lena Hernáiz, left, and Ana Margarita Rojas, smile during an interview in Caracas, Venezuela / AP / Ariana Cubillos