Gabriel Paboga and Isabel Posada had some planning to do on the Sunday night episode of 90 Day Fiance: The Other Way.
It was time to begin wedding preparations, as the couple had just become engaged. Best case scenario, they could exchange vows prior to the expiration of his visa and still have the wedding they both deserve.
They received some unfortunate news. Gabe would have to return to Florida and initiate a lengthy, multi-month process to obtain a particular document. They cannot marry without permission.
Actually, it’s not really Gabe’s problem. This would not be a problem if society did not erect obstacles to make life more difficult for transgender individuals like him.
We saw a flashback early during Gabriel Paboga and Isabel Posada’s portion of Season 4, Episode 11.
She informed her parents of her engagement while displaying the ring.
Her father conveyed happiness. As we discovered, he is a fan of Gabriel and wanted Isabel to get married. Her mother felt it was too soon, but she likes Gabriel and will support Isabel regardless.
Having taken care of that, and with less than a month remaining until Gabriel must leave Colombia, they met with an attorney. They desired to make wedding preparations.
The good news, she told them, is that they could be married within a week if they have all the necessary paperwork.
That includes Isabel’s identification, Gabe’s passport, and their respective birth certificates.
Gabriel holds a passport and a Florida state ID. Both are accurate gender indicators.
However, after coming out as trans to the attorney, he reveals that his birth certificate does not reflect his gender, but rather the ascribed gender at birth. And he would be unable to marry if his birth certificate contained a “F.”
There are methods for him to update his certificate, but the procedure will take months. And this would necessitate his physical return to Florida.
Isabel expresses regret, which is appropriate. Also fair is the fact that, when he transitioned a decade ago, he did not anticipate requiring a new birth certificate to marry (as required by Colombian law).
Fortunately, the attorney explains that this does not mean the couple can never marry.
However, this will require work. Clearly, the newly engaged couple will not find this amusing.
And it is indeed devastating news for them both.
Gabriel must spend at least a few months in Florida resolving this matter. Even if he wasn’t going to work on obtaining a new birth certificate, he would still need to return and acquire a new visa.
When he returns, there will hopefully be wedding chimes. However, it will be awful in the interim.
Prior to this setback, Gabe and Isabel had been searching for a residence with more space. Now that Gabriel will (eventually) be there full-time, they require a four-person residence.
This proposal has been suspended. First, they must prioritize Gabe’s full-time employment.
Isabel’s sense of insecurity stems from the fact that Gabe’s family is unaware of the engagement. However, anxiety must also be postponed. The time had come to part ways.
Isabel and Gabriel exchanged a kiss of farewell at the airport. Isabel’s eyes were filled with weeping.
They anticipated reuniting in the future. Ultimately, they are engaged and in love with each other.
This however will be challenging. To present a birth certificate, the majority of individuals would not be required to jump through special paperwork hoops. However, this is not how the universe functions. Maybe some day.