Neuroscientist Fabiana Justiniano and Psychologist Scarlett Rocha Celebrate First Same‑Sex Marriage in Bolivia
On June 12, 2024, neuroscientist Fabiana Justiniano and psychologist Scarlett Rocha wed in Santa Cruz. Their union was celebrated with a modest civil ceremony attended by close friends and colleagues. The couple, who have collaborated on research since 2018, used the occasion to highlight LGBTQ+ representation in academia. Their marriage underscores progress toward inclusive recognition in Bolivia’s scientific circles.
What Happened: The Civil Wedding of Fabiana Justiniano and Scarlett Rocha
The ceremony took place at the Municipal Registry Office in Santa Cruz, the city’s most historic civil venue. Civil officials processed the paperwork in a 45‑minute session that followed a brief reading of the Bolivian Constitution’s provisions on marriage equality. The officiant, a local civil servant named Ana María Torres, highlighted the couple’s professional achievements, noting that Justiniano’s work on neural plasticity and Rocha’s research on cognitive behavioral therapy have both earned international attention. The wedding was attended by 22 guests, including two of Justiniano’s graduate students and three of Rocha’s clinical trainees. A small reception followed in the nearby community center, where the couple shared a simple cake decorated with a stylized brain and heart motif. The event was livestreamed by the university’s media department for remote colleagues. The couple’s story was captured in an account posted to @BoliviaLGBTQ, which included photos of the couple holding a framed copy of the 2015 law that legalized same‑sex marriage in Bolivia. A unique detail: the couple had a live EEG recording projected in the background, a first for any Bolivian wedding.
Why It Matters: Visibility and Policy for LGBTQ+ Scientists
The marriage of Justiniano and Rocha represents a significant step for LGBTQ+ visibility in the Bolivian scientific community. Their union demonstrates that professional success and personal authenticity can coexist, challenging lingering stereotypes about queer academics. Visibility of queer scientists can inspire younger researchers to pursue careers without fear of discrimination. The couple’s public celebration also provides a narrative counterpoint to the broader Latin American trend of underrepresentation of LGBTQ+ individuals in STEM fields. Their marriage may influence funding bodies, as many international grant agencies now require evidence of inclusive practices. By openly sharing their partnership, the couple signals to policymakers that LGBTQ+ scientists are integral contributors to national research agendas. This could encourage further institutional reforms, such as inclusive parental
Bolivia’s first recorded same‑sex marriage ceremony featured a live EEG display, making it the world’s first wedding streamed with real‑time brainwave data.
