First Same-sex Marriage in Spain

The first same-sex marriage in Spain took place after the Roman Imperial era on 8 June 1901.

Two women, Marcela Gracia Ibeas and Elisa Sanchez Loriga, attempted to get married in A Coruña (Galicia, Spain). To achieve it Elisa had to adopt a male identity: Mario Sánchez, as listed on the marriage certificate. It is the first attempt at same-sex marriage in Spain for which there is recorded evidence. It was performed by the Church, in the parish church of St. Jorge of the same city. Subsequently the parish priest discovered the deception, and was denounced and persecuted. Nevertheless, the marriage certificate was never annulled.

Their matrimonial union took place more than 100 years before the law would permit gay Spanish people to get married. The two worked as teachers at a time when the vast majority of the Galician population was illiterate.

This event could be considered a precedent for same-sex marriage in Spain. News of their wedding was spread to all Spain and to various European countries. The couple is believed to have escaped to Argentina, and it is unknown what happened to them after that.