Gay activists are pushing presidential candidates for support in formalizing their relationships under the common law statutes, with an eye to later allowing gay marriage and adoptions.  According to activists, the homosexual vote numbers 250,000.  Which would be 10% of the vote in the Costa Rican electorate of 2,550,613.

"Marriage is what we yearn for, but now we want the debate out in the open like in other Latin American countries. Costa Rica should recognize families, which implies the power to adopt. ", said Abelardo Araya, president of the Diversity Movement. Other issues for the movement are socio-economic equality, greater participation in politics, access to health care and education. They would also like to see educators eliminate texts that are sexist, homophobic, and "machista" (biased against women). 

The candidates positions:

Oscar Arias: Would fight to build a new ethical standard that is more just, supportive, respects diversity more and does not discriminate, including by sexual preference.

Ricardo Toledo: Respects the dignity as a basic principle, and any kind of discrimination will be fought against.

Ottón Solís: Will Insist on respecting the dignity of each person, no matter what sexual orientation .

Otto Guevara: Nobody may be discriminated against because of por su orientación sexual ni raza.

Antonio Desanti: The common law marriage should include couples of the same sex.

Expresident Rafael Ángel Calderón, who was arrested in the Caja-Fischel kickback scandal, hosted 40 former and current representatives in the Casa Italia on Wednesday.  The main topic of conversation was how to regain confindence from voters in the February election in order to gain as many seats in the Assembly as possible.

Calderón confirmed his influence in the election of candidates for representative in the recent PUSC assembly.  "When they asked me my opinion, I gave it with great pleasure."   Many in circles close the party believe that it will concentrate on winning seats in the Assembly, leaving the Presidential Candidate Ricardo Toledo to fend for himself.  Toledo is currently in 6th place in the polls, while the party as a whole does much better.

Calderón emphasized that he has not ruled out a run for the presidency in 2010, and said "Those who belong to the party and carry it in our hearts will not let it end."