Status of same-sex marriage

This article is about the status of same-sex marriage around the world. For the status of same-sex union legislation, see Same-sex union legislation.
Legal status of same-sex unions
Marriage
Performed

Argentina
Belgium
Brazil
Canada
Colombia
Denmark:
· Denmark proper
· Greenland
Finland*
France
Iceland
Ireland
Luxembourg
Mexico:
· CM*, CH, CA
· GR3, JA, NA
· QR, CDMX
Netherlands:
· Netherlands proper

New Zealand:
· New Zealand proper
Norway
Portugal
South Africa
Spain
Sweden
United Kingdom:
· England and Wales
· Scotland
· Pitcairn Islands
United States:
· United States proper
· GU, MP, PR, VI
· some tribal jurisdictions
Uruguay

Recognized

  1. When performed in Mexican states that have legalized same-sex marriage
  2. When performed in the Netherlands proper
  3. Marriages performed in some municipalities and recognized by the state

* Not yet in effect

LGBT portal

A same-sex marriage refers to the marriage of a same-sex couple. The legal status of same-sex marriage has changed in recent years in numerous jurisdictions around the world. Summarized in this article are the current trends and consensus of political authorities and religions throughout the world.

Civil recognition

Worldwide laws regarding homosexual relationships and expression
  
 Marriage
  
 Restricted freedom of expression
  
 Civil union, registered partnership or unregistered cohabitation
  
 Unenforced penalty
  
 Marriage recognized but not performed
  
 Imprisonment
  
 Same-sex unions not recognized
  
 Up to life in prison
  
 Death penalty
Click on map to view an enlarged version where rings in various locations become visible. These indicate places with local or case-by-case applications of law. Some laws reflected in the map have not gone into effect yet.

The Netherlands[nb 1] was the first country to legalize same-sex marriages, with the first marriages performed in the Amsterdam city hall on 1 April 2001. Since then, same-sex marriages have been performed legally in Belgium (2003), Spain (2005), Canada (2005), South Africa (2006), Norway (2009), Sweden (2009), Portugal (2010), Iceland (2010), Argentina (2010), Denmark[nb 2] (2012), Brazil (2013), France (2013), Uruguay (2013), New Zealand[nb 3] (2013), the United Kingdom[nb 4] (2014), Luxembourg (2015), the United States[nb 5] (2015), Ireland (2015), Colombia (2016), and Finland (from 2017).

In Mexico, same-sex marriages are performed in Mexico City (2010)[1] and in four states: Quintana Roo (2012), Coahuila (2014), Chihuahua (2015) and Guerrero (2015), but same-sex marriages are legally recognized throughout the country.

Opinion polls

Opinion polls for same-sex marriage
Country Pollster Year For Against Don't Know/Neutral/No answer/Other
 Argentina Ipsos 2015 59%[2] 26%[2] 15%[2]
 Armenia Интеграция и развитие 2013 2%[3] 96%[3] 2%[3]
 Australia Ipsos 2015 69%[4] 25%[4] 6%[4]
 Austria Eurobarometer 2015 62%[5] 32%[5] 6%[5]
 Belarus NAS 2015 4%[6] 87%[6] 9%[6]
 Belgium Eurobarometer 2015 77%[5] 20%[5] 3%[5]
 Brazil Ipsos 2015 40%[2] 43%[2] 17%[2]
 Bolivia Pew Research Center 2014 22%[7] 67%[7] 11%[7]
 Bulgaria Eurobarometer 2015 17%[5] 68%[5] 15%[5]
 Canada Forum Research 2015 70%[8] 22[8] 8%[8]
 Chile Cadem Plaza Pública 2015 60%[9] 36%[9] 4%[9]
 China Ipsos 2015 29%[2] 50%[2] 21%[2]
 Colombia Pew Research Center 2014 28%[7] 64%[7] 8%[7]
 Costa Rica Pew Research Center 2014 29%[7] 61%[7] 10%[7]
 Croatia Eurobarometer 2015 37%[5] 54%[5] 9%[5]
 Cyprus Eurobarometer 2015 37%[5] 56%[5] 7%[5]
 Czech Republic Eurobarometer 2015 57%[5] 36%[5] 7%[5]
 Denmark Eurobarometer 2015 87%[5] 9%[5] 4%[5]
 Dominican Republic Pew Research Center 2014 25%[7] 72%[7] 3%[7]
 Ecuador Pew Research Center 2014 16%[7] 74%[7] 10%[7]
 El Salvador Pew Research Center 2014 11%[7] 81%[7] 8%[7]
 Estonia Eurobarometer 2015 31%[5] 58%[5] 11%[5]
 Finland Eurobarometer 2015 66%[5] 28%[5] 6%[5]
 France BVA 2015 67%[10] 31%[5] 2%[5]
 Georgia NDI 2012 6%[11] 89%[11] 4%[11]
 Germany Eurobarometer 2015 66%[5] 29%[5] 5%[5]
 Greece Eurobarometer 2015 33%[5] 63%[5] 4%[5]
 Guatemala Pew Research Center 2014 12%[7] 82%[7] 6%[7]
 Guyana CADRES 2013 14%[12] 76%[12] 10%[12]
 Honduras Pew Research Center 2014 13%[7] 83%[7] 4%[7]
 Hungary Eurobarometer 2015 39%[5] 53% 8%[5]
 Iceland Gallup 2004 87%[13] - -
 India Ipsos 2015 29%[2] 47%[2] 24%[2]
 Ireland Eurobarometer 2015 80%[5] 15%[5] 5%[5]
 Israel Haaretz 2013 59%[14] 33%[14] 8%[14]
 Italy Eurobarometer 2015 55%[5] 35%[5] 10%[5]
 Japan IPSS 2015 51%[15] 41%[15] 8%[15]
 Latvia Eurobarometer 2015 19%[5] 76%[5] 5%[5]
 Lithuania Eurobarometer 2015 24%[5] 71%[5] 5%[5]
 Luxembourg Eurobarometer 2015 75%[5] 20%[5] 5%[5]
 Malta Eurobarometer 2015 65%[5] 29%[5] 6%[5]
 Mexico Ipsos 2015 54%[2] 34%[2] 12%[2]
 Moldova IPP 2014 6%[16] 87%[16] 7%[16]
 Netherlands Eurobarometer 2015 91%[5] 7%[5] 2%[5]
 New Zealand TVNZ 2012 63%[17] 31%[17] 6%[17]
 Nicaragua Pew Research Center 2014 16%[7] 77%[7] 7%[7]
 Norway Ipsos 2013 78%[18] 17%[18] 4%[18]
 Panama Pew Research Center 2014 23%[7] 72%[7] 5%[7]
 Paraguay Pew Research Center 2014 15%[7] 80%[7] 5%[7]
 Peru Pew Research Center 2014 26%[7] 65%[7] 9%[7]
 Philippines Laylo Research Strategies 2015 16%[19] 84%[19] 0%[19]
 Poland Eurobarometer 2015 28%[5] 61%[5] 11%[5]
 Portugal Eurobarometer 2015 61%[5] 33%[5] 6%[5]
 Romania Eurobarometer 2015 21%[5] 69%[5] 10%[5]
 Russia VTsIOM 2015 8%[20] 80% 12%
 Serbia GSA 2010 14%[21] 72% 14%
 Slovakia Eurobarometer 2015 24%[5] 69%[5] 7%[5]
 Slovenia Delo 2015 43%[22] 40% 17%
 South Africa Ipsos 2015 45%[2] 40%[2] 15%[2]
 South Korea Ipsos 2015 27%[2] 55%[2] 18%[2]
 Spain Eurobarometer 2015 84%[5] 10%[5] 6%[5]
 Sweden Eurobarometer 2015 90%[5] 7%[5] 3%[5]
  Switzerland Ifop 2013 63%[23] 37%[23] 0%[23]
 Taiwan Ministry of Justice 2015 75%[24] 25%[24] 0%[24]
 Turkey Ipsos 2015 27%[2] 44%[2] 29%[2]
 Ukraine GfK Ukraine 2013 5%[25] 95% -
 United Kingdom Eurobarometer 2015 71%[5] 24%[5] 7%[5]
 United States Wall Street Journal 2015 59%[26] 33%[26] 8%[26]
 Uruguay Pew Research Center 2014 62%[7] 31%[7] 7%[7]
 Venezuela Pew Research Center 2014 28%[7] 61%[7] 11%[7]

Africa

Same-sex marriage has been legalized only in South Africa.

Same-sex sexual activity legal
  Same-sex marriage
  No recognition of same-sex couples
Same-sex sexual activity illegal
  Not Enforced or unclear
  Penalty
  Life in prison
  Death penalty

South Africa

In December 2005, in the case of Minister of Home Affairs v Fourie, the Constitutional Court of South Africa ruled unanimously that it was unconstitutional to prevent same-sex couples from marrying when marriage was permitted for opposite-sex couples, and gave Parliament one year to "correct the defect" in the law. If Parliament did not act, words would be "read in" to the Marriage Act to allow same-sex marriages. In November 2006 Parliament passed the Civil Union Act, under which same-sex and opposite-sex couples may contract unions. A union under the Civil Union Act may, at the choice of the spouses, be called either a marriage or a civil partnership; whichever name is chosen, the legal effect is identical to that of a traditional marriage under the Marriage Act.

Asia

Main article: LGBT rights in Asia

No country in Asia currently performs same-sex marriages, and only Israel recognizes same-sex marriage performed overseas. Although there have been several legislative initiatives over the past years, no country in Asia has changed its decision.

Cambodia

Cambodian law prohibits same-sex marriage.[27]

Then King of Cambodia, Norodom Sihanouk, announced in 2004 that he supports legislation extending marriage rights to same-sex couples. However, since his proclamation no effort has been made to legislate for them.

In an exceptional case, a marriage between a lesbian couple was legally and religiously solemnized in 1995 in Kandal Province.[28]

China

Same-sex marriage is not legally recognized. Article 2 of the Marriage Law declares "one husband and one wife" as one of the principles guiding marriages. The principle, first codified in 1950, was intended to outlaw polygamy, but is now also interpreted to disallow same-sex marriages. Many other articles of the same law also assumes the marriage is a heterosexual union.

Before 1997, same-sex couples found in sexual activity were prosecuted under a provision in the penal code against "hooliganism" or "indecency" (Chinese: 流氓罪). The provision was repealed in 1997.

The National People's Congress, legislature of the People's Republic of China (PRC), proposed legislation allowing same-sex marriages in 2003. During the course of the debate, the proposal failed to garner the 30 votes needed for a placement on the agenda. Li Yinhe has made numerous proposals to the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference to allow same-sex marriages, but none has succeeded.

Hong Kong and Macau

Same sex marriage is not legal in Hong Kong or Macau. However, in Hong Kong changes to the Domestic and Cohabitation Relationships Ordinance (Cap 189) in 2009 were made to protect same-sex partners.[29] Also, on 13 May 2013, the Court of Final Appeal, in a 4:1 decision, gave transgender people the right to marry as their identified gender rather than their biological sex at birth - a decision that may pave the way for future changes.

Asia
Same-sex sexual activity legal
  Other type of partnership (or unregistered cohabitation)
  Foreign same-sex marriages recognized1
  No recognition of same-sex couples
  Restrictions on freedom of expression
Same-sex sexual activity illegal
  Not Enforced or unclear
  Penalty
  Life in prison
  Death penalty

India

Same-sex marriage is not explicitly prohibited under Indian law and at least one couple has had their marriage recognised by the courts.[30]

Israel

Marriages in Israel are performed under the authority of the religious authorities to which the couple belong. For Jewish couples the responsible religious authority is the orthodox Chief Rabbinate of Israel. The Rabbinate does not permit same-sex marriages. However, on 21 November 2006 the Supreme Court of Israel ruled that five same-sex Israeli couples who had married in Canada were entitled to have their marriages registered in Israel.[31]

Japan

Article 24 of the Japanese constitution states that "Marriage shall be based only on the mutual consent of both sexes and it shall be maintained through mutual cooperation with the equal rights of husband and wife as a basis." The purpose of the clause was to counter previous feudal arrangement where the father or husband was legally recognized as the head of the household. However, the new constitution had the unintended consequence of defining the marriage as union of "both sexes", i.e. man and woman. However, on 27 March 2009, it was reported that Japan has given the green light for its nationals to marry same-sex foreign partners in countries where same-sex marriage is legal, a justice ministry official said.[32] Japan does not allow same-sex marriages domestically and has so far also refused to issue a key document required for citizens to wed overseas if the applicant's intended spouse was of the same gender. Under the change, the justice ministry has told local authorities to issue the key certificate—which states a person is single and of legal age—for those who want to enter same-sex marriages.

Nepal

Nepal's highest court, in November 2008, issued final judgment on matters related to LGBT rights.[33][34] A new Nepalese constitution, approved by the Constituent Assembly on 16 September 2015, includes several provisions pertaining to the rights of LGBT people. Based on the ruling of the Supreme Court of Nepal in late 2008, the government was looking into legalising same-sex marriage. According to several sources, the new constitution was expected to include it. However, the new constitution appears not to address that topic explicitly.[35][36]

Philippines

The New People's Army of the Philippines conducted the country's first same-sex marriage in 2005. However it was not recognized by the government. Within the government there has been some debate on the issue of same-sex unions. The Roman Catholic Church stands in fierce opposition to any such unions. But since 1991 the Metropolitan Community Church Philippines has been conducting Same Sex Holy Unions in the Philippines. As of 2010, the issue of same-sex marriage is not "under consideration" in the Philippines. The only thing under consideration is a possible ban on same-sex marriage, including refusal to recognize marriages performed overseas. political parties such as the Gabriela Women's Partylist are actively lobbying and advocating for lesbian and gay rights and to insist that society not discriminate on the basis of sexual preference.[37]

South Korea

On 30 July 2004, the Democratic Labor Party of South Korea filed a formal complaint against the Incheon District Court's decision to refuse recognition of same-sex marriages. The complaint was filed on the grounds that the decision is unconstitutional, because neither the Constitution nor civil law define marriage as being between a man and a woman (the only mentioned requisite is age of majority) and that the Constitution explicitly forbids discrimination "pertaining to all political, economic, social, or cultural aspects of life of an individual." The Committee also claimed that refusal to recognize same-sex marriages constitutes discrimination based on sexual orientation and a refusal to provide equal protection under the law.[38]

Taiwan

In 2003, the government of the Taiwan, led by the Presidential office, proposed legislation granting marriages to same-sex couples under the Human Rights Basic Law. However, it has not proceeded. The country does not have any form of same-sex unions.[39]

On 22 December 2014, a proposed amendment to the Civil Code which would legalize same-sex marriage was due to go under review by the Judiciary Committee. If the amendment passes the committee stage it will then be voted on at the plenary session of the Legislative Yuan in 2015. The amendment, called the marriage equality amendment, would insert neutral terms into the Civil Code replacing ones that imply heterosexual marriage, effectively legalizing same-sex marriage. It would also allow same-sex couples to adopt children. Yu Mei-nu of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), who is the convener of the current legislative session, has expressed support for the amendment as have more than 20 other DPP lawmakers as well as two from the Taiwan Solidarity Union and one each from the Kuomintang and the People First Party.[40] Taiwan would become the first country in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage if the Civil Code is amended.

Europe

Laws regarding same-sex partnerships in Europe
  Marriage
  Foreign marriages recognized
  Other type of partnership
  Unregistered cohabitation
  Unrecognized
  Constitution limits marriage to opposite-sex couples
---- Includes laws that have not yet gone into effect.

Same-sex civil marriages are legally recognized nationwide in the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Norway, Sweden, Portugal, Iceland, Denmark (excluding the Faroe Islands), France, the United Kingdom (excluding Northern Ireland, Guernsey, Isle of Man, Jersey and Gibraltar), Luxembourg, Ireland and Finland (effective March 2017). In a number of other European countries, same-sex civil unions give similar or identical rights to marriage.

A poll conducted by EOS Gallup Europe in 2003 found that 57 percent of the population in the then 15-member European Union support same-sex marriage. The support among the member states who joined in 2004 is lower (around 28 percent), meaning that 53 percent of citizens in the 25-member EU support legalizing same-sex marriage.[41]

Albania

Albania's government announced its intention to propose a bill allowing same-sex marriage in 2009. However, the bill had not been presented.[42]

Belgium

On 1 June 2003, Belgium became the second country in the world to legally recognise same-sex marriage.

Cyprus

Civil cohabitations have been legal in Cyprus since 11 December 2015. The bill to establish civil cohabitation was approved by the parliament on 26 November 2015 with a 39-12 vote.[43][44] It was published in the official gazette on 11 December 2015 and took effect upon publication.[45]

Czech Republic

On 15 March 2006, the parliament of the Czech Republic voted to override a presidential veto and allow same-sex partnerships to be recognised by law, effective 1 July 2006, granting registered couples inheritance and health care rights similar to married couples. The legislation did not grant adoption rights. The parliament had previously rejected similar legislation four times.[46][47]

Denmark

On 15 June 2012, Denmark became the eleventh country in the world to legalise same-sex marriage.

Finland

Registered partnerships have been legal in Finland since 2002. Legislation for same-sex marriage was submitted to the Parliament in March 2012 but it was turned down by the Legal Affairs Committee in February 2013. The bill was reintroduced to the Parliament in December 2013 as a citizens' initiative, with the support of 160,000 people. In June 2014 the Legal Affairs Committee recommended to reject it, but on 28 November 2014 the full Parliament by a vote of 92–105 did not accept that recommendation, thus paving the way for the legalisation of same-sex marriage. The initiative was approved by the full session at the second reading on 12 December 2014. The new marriage law will take effect 1 March 2017. In order that the provisions of the framework law be fully implementable further legislation has to be passed. A new citizens' initiative was started on 29 March 2015 aiming to rescind the new marriage law. The new initiative collected almost 110,000 signatures by 29 September 2015 and will be presented to The Parliament.

France

Since 1999, same-sex civil unions (PACS) have been allowed and legal in France. In June 2011, an Ifop poll found that 63% of respondents were in favour of same-sex marriage.[48] France legalised same-sex marriage on April 23, 2013.[49] The bill was confirmed in the Constitutional Court of France on May 17, 2013 and signed by the French President on May 18, 2013.

Germany

In Germany there is a legal recognition of same-sex couples. Registered life partnerships (Eingetragene Lebenspartnerschaft) (effectively, a form of civil union) have been instituted since 2001, giving same-sex couples most of the rights and obligations of marriage. In 2004, this act was amended to include adoption rights (stepchild adoption only) and to reform previously cumbersome dissolution procedures with regard to division of property and alimony. Attempts to give equal rights to registered partners or to legalize same-sex marriage have generally been blocked by the CDU/CSU, the main party in government since 2005. All other main parties (SPD, The Greens, The Left and FDP) support full LGBT equality. The Federal Constitutional Court of Germany has however issued various rulings in favor of equal rights for same-sex registered partners (such as joint tax filing benefits), requiring the governing coalition to change the law.

Greece

In Greece, there is a legal recognition of same-sex couples since 24 December 2015. Attempts to give equal rights to registered partners or to legalize same-sex marriage begun in Spring 2008, after the Greek Minister of Justice, Transparency and Human Rights announced that a bill was to be introduced to the Hellenic Parliament in order to regulate civil partnerships for opposite-sex couples, but refused to include provisions for same-sex couples as well. The case was brought to the European Court of Human Rights in 2013, which ruled that the exclusion of same-sex couples from the bill is discriminatory and a violation of human rights. However, on 9 November 2015, a new bill granting the same-sex couples all the rights of marriage except adoption was published. The bill was sent for public consultation which would end on 20 November 2015 and then was submitted to the Hellenic Parliament on 9 December 2015, and approved 14 days later, on 23 December, with 194 MPs voting yes, 55 voting no and 51 being absent.[50][51] The following day, the law was signed by the President of Greece and published in the government gazette. It took effect upon publication.[52]

Hungary

Unregistered cohabitation has been recognized since 1996. It applies to any couple living together in an economic and sexual relationship (common-law marriage), including same-sex couples. No official registration is required. The law gives some specified rights and benefits to two persons living together. These rights and benefits are not automatically given – they must be applied for to the social department of the local government in each case. An amendment was made to the Civil Code: "Partners – if not stipulated otherwise by law – are two people living in an emotional and economic community in the same household without being married." Widow-pension is possible, partners cannot be heirs by law (without the need for a will), but can be designated as testamentary heirs.

The Hungarian Parliament on 21 April 2009 passed legislation by a vote of 199–159, called the Registered Partnership Act 2009 which allows same-sex couples to register their relationships so they can access the same rights, benefits and entitlements as opposite-sex couples (except for the right to marriage, adoption, IVF, surrogacy, taking a surname or become the legal guardian of their partner's child). The legislation does not allow opposite-sex couples to register their relationships (out of fear that there might be duplication under the law). The law came into force on 1 July 2009.[53] Since January 1, 2012 the Hungarian Constitution bans same-sex marriage.

Iceland

On 11 June 2010, a law was passed to make same-sex marriage legal in Iceland. The law took effect on 27 June 2010.[54]

Ireland

The Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2010 was first debated in Dáil Éireann on 3 December 2009. It passed in Dáil Éireann without a vote on 1 July 2010 due to all parties supporting the bill. The bill passed in Seanad Éireann on 8 July 2010 with a vote of 48–4. It was signed by the President of Ireland on 19 July 2010.

The law took effect on 1 January 2011.[55] It grants many rights to same-sex couples through civil partnerships but does not recognise both civil partners as the guardians of a child being raised by the couple. Irish law allows married couples and individuals to apply to adopt and allows gay couples to foster. The Act also gives new protections to cohabitating couples, both same-sex and opposite-sex.[56]

A referendum that took place on May 22, 2015 has amended the Irish constitution to make same-sex marriage legal.[57] The Marriage Act 2015 was signed into law on October 29, 2015.[58]

Latvia

In December 2005, the Latvian Parliament passed a constitutional amendment defining marriage as a union between a man and a woman. President Vaira Vike-Freiberga signed the amendment shortly afterward.

Malta

On 14 April 2014, the Maltese parliament voted in favour of civil unions at par with marriage (equal to marriage in all but the name) with all rights and obligations, including the right to adoption and recognition of same-sex marriage contracted abroad. The first foreign same-sex marriage was registered on 29 April 2014 and the first civil unions began on 14 June 2014.[59]

Netherlands

The Netherlands became the first country in the world to legalise same-sex marriages on 1 April 2001. The possibility exists in its European territory as well as the Caribbean Netherlands (Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba) while those marriages can be registered in Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten.

Norway

Same-sex marriage is legally performed in Norway. The Norwegian government proposed a gender-neutral marriage law on 14 March 2008, that would give same-sex couples the same rights as heterosexuals, including church weddings, adoption and assisted pregnancies. On 29 May 2008, the Associated Press reported that two Norwegian Opposition parties came out in favor of the new bill, assuring the bill's passage when the vote was held on 11 June. Prior to this, there were some disagreements with members of the three-party governing coalition on whether the bill had enough votes to pass. With this, it became almost certain that the bill would pass.[60]

The first hearings and the vote were held, and passed, on 11 June 2008. 84 votes for and 41 against. This also specified that when a woman who is married to another woman becomes pregnant through artificial insemination, the partner would have all the rights of parenthood "from the moment of conception". The law became effective from 1 January 2009.[61]

Norway was also the second country to legalize registered partnerships, doing so in 1993. Since 1 January 2009, all registered partnerships from 1993–2008 were upon request by the couples upgraded to marriage status.

Portugal

In March 2001, the Socialist government of then Prime Minister António Guterres introduced legislation that would extend to same-sex couples the same rights as heterosexual couples living in a de facto union for more than two years.

Same-sex marriage became a source of debate in February 2006 when a lesbian couple was denied a marriage license. They took their case to court alleging violation of the 1976 constitution which prohibits discrimination based on one's sexual orientation. Prime Minister José Sócrates of the Socialist Party was reelected in September 2009 and included same-sex marriage in his party's program. A bill recognizing same-sex marriage was proposed by the government and approved by parliament on 8 January 2010.[62] However, Portugal's parliament rejected alternative proposals that included a provision to allow homosexual couples to adopt as a couple (single homosexuals can legally adopt).[63] Although personally against it, the Portuguese President ratified the bill on 17 May 2010. The law became effective on 5 June 2010, after publication in the official gazette, on 31 May. The first marriage was celebrated on 7 June 2010 between Teresa Pires and Helena Paixão, the same lesbian couple that was denied a marriage licence in 2006.

Slovenia

In July 2006, Slovenia became the first former Yugoslav country to introduce domestic partnerships nationwide.[64] In December 2009 the Slovenian government approved a new Family Code, which includes same-sex marriage and same-sex adoption. The bill was approved by parliament, but rejected by voters in a 2015 referendum.

Spain

Spain became the third country in the world (after the Netherlands and Belgium) to legalize same-sex marriage. After being elected in June 2004, Spanish prime minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero restated his pre-election pledge to push for legalization of same-sex marriage.[65] On 1 October 2004, the Spanish Government approved a bill to legalize same-sex marriage, including adoption rights. The bill received full parliamentary approval on 30 June 2005 and passed into law on 2 July, becoming fully legal on 3 July. Polls suggest that 62% to 76% of Spain supports same-sex marriage.[66][67][68][18]

Sweden

Following a bill introduced jointly by six of the seven parties in the Riksdag, a gender-neutral marriage law was adopted on 1 April 2009.[69] It came into force on 1 May, replacing the old legislation on registered partnerships.[70] On 22 October, the assembly of the Church of Sweden (which is no longer officially the national church but whose assent was needed for the new practice to work smoothly within its ranks) voted strongly in favor of giving its blessing.[71]

United Kingdom

England and Wales

On 18 November 2004 the United Kingdom Parliament passed the Civil Partnership Act, which came into force in December 2005 and allows same-sex couples in England and Wales to register their partnership. The government stressed during the passage of the bill that it is not same-sex marriage, and some same-sex rights activists have criticized the act for not using the terminology of marriage. However, the rights and duties of partners under this legislation are exactly the same as for married couples. An amendment proposing similar rights for family members living together was rejected. The press widely referred to these unions as "gay marriage." [72] During and following the 2010 election, all parties stated they were in favor of allowing same-sex marriage in the UK.[73][74] Following a public consultation, as of 2013 a bill allowing same-sex marriage in England and Wales, and also providing an exemption for conducting of same-sex marriage ceremonies for religious bodies whose doctrines oppose such relationships, passed its second reading on 5 February 2013 in a 400–175 vote. The bill passed its third reading in the House of Lords on 15 July 2013[75] and the Commons accepted all of the Lords' amendments on the following day, with Royal Assent granted on 17 July 2013. The law went into effect on 29 March 2014.

Scotland

In Scotland, which is a separate legal jurisdiction, the devolved Scottish Parliament also introduced Civil Partnerships, and performed also a consultation on the issue of same-sex marriage. On 25 July 2012 the Scottish Government announced it would bring forward legislation to legalise both civil and religious same-sex marriage in Scotland. The Government reiterated its intention to ensure that no religious group or individual member of the clergy would be forced to conduct such ceremonies; it also stated its intention to work with Westminster to make necessary changes to the Equality Act to ensure that this would be guaranteed.[76][77] No legislative plans have currently been announced for a similar law in Northern Ireland.

On 4 February 2014, Scotland passed Marriage and Civil Partnership Bill 105 to 18 legalizing same-sex marriage which came into effect on 16 December 2014.

North America

State recognition of same-sex relationships in North America & Hawaii.1
  Same-sex marriage
  Other type of partnership
  Same-sex marriages recognized, but not performed
  Binding judicial ruling against a ban on same-sex marriage2
1May include recent laws or court decisions which have created legal recognition of same-sex relationships, but which have not entered into effect yet.
2Some states in these categories also have a binding judicial rulings against bans on unions similar to marriage or ban unions similar to marriage.

Canada

In Canada between 2003 and 2005, court rulings in Ontario, British Columbia, Quebec, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan, Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, and Yukon ruled the prohibition of same-sex marriage to be contrary to the Charter of Rights, thus legalizing it in those jurisdictions (which covered 90% of the population). In response to these rulings, the governing Liberal party minority government introduced legislation to allow same-sex couples to marry. On 20 July 2005, the Canadian Parliament passed the Civil Marriage Act, defining marriage nationwide as "the lawful union of two persons to the exclusion of all others." This was challenged on 7 December 2006 by a motion tabled by the newly elected Conservative party, asking the government to introduce amendments to the Marriage Act to restrict marriage to opposite-sex couples; it was defeated in the House of Commons by a vote of 175 to 123.

Canada does not have a residency requirement for marriage; consequently, many foreign couples have gone to Canada to marry, regardless of whether that marriage will be recognized in their home country. In fact, in some cases, a Canadian marriage has provided the basis for a challenge to the laws of another country, with cases in Ireland and Israel. Notably, the plaintiff in the United States v. Windsor, which challenged the Defense of Marriage Act wed her wife in Ontario.

As of 11 November 2004, the Canadian federal government's immigration department, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC), considers same-sex marriages performed in Canada valid for the purposes of sponsoring a spouse to immigrate.[78] Canadian immigration authorities previously considered long-term, same-sex relationships to be equivalent to similar heterosexual relationships as grounds for sponsorship.

Costa Rica

In 2006, the Supreme Court ruled in a 5–2 decision that it was not required by the constitution to recognize same-sex couples in family law.[79] Legal recognition of same-sex unions has been considered by the Legislative Assembly.[80]

Mexico

State recognition of same-sex relationships in Mexico
  Same-sex marriage
(Rings: Individual cases)
  Same-sex civil unions
  Same-sex marriages recognized but not performed

Same-sex couples can marry in Mexico City and in the states of Chihuahua, Coahuila, Guerrero and Quintana Roo. In individual cases, same-sex couples have been given judicial approval to marry in several other states. Since August 2010, same-sex marriages performed within Mexico are recognized by the 31 states without exception.

On 9 November 2006, Mexico City's unicameral Legislative Assembly passed and approved (43–17) a bill legalizing same-sex civil unions, under the name Ley de Sociedades de Convivencia (Law for Co-existence Partnerships), which became effective on 16 March 2007.[81] The law recognizes property and inheritance rights to same-sex couples. On 11 January 2007, the northern state of Coahuila, which borders Texas, passed a similar bill (20–13), under the name Pacto Civil de Solidaridad (Civil Pact of Solidarity).[82] Unlike Mexico City's law, once same-sex couples have registered in Coahuila, the state protects their rights no matter where they live in the country.[82] Twenty days after the law had passed, the country's first same-sex civil union took place in Saltillo, Coahuila.[83]

On 21 December 2009, Mexico City's Legislative Assembly legalized (39–20) same-sex marriages and adoption by same-sex couples.[84] Eight days later, the law was enacted and became effective in March 2010.[85]

On 28 November 2011, the first two same-sex marriages occurred in Quintana Roo after discovering that Quintana Roo's Civil Code did not explicitly prohibit same-sex marriage,[86] but these marriages were later annulled by the governor of Quintana Roo in April 2012.[87] In May 2012, the Secretary of State of Quintana Roo reversed the annulments and allowed for future same-sex marriages to be performed in the state.[88]

On April 30, 2013, a male same-sex couple asked the Civil Registrar of Chihuahua to marry. The Civil Registar rejected because the State Constitution defines marriage as the union of a man and a woman. On May 7, 2013, the couple appealed the decision of the Civil Registar and on August 19, judge, José Juan Múzquiz Gómez, of the Tenth District Court of the Chihuahua State recognized that they have the right to marry. The Civil Registar had up to September 3 to appeal the decision.[89] The government of the state did not appeal the decision and allowed the deadline to pass. On September 4, 2013, Chihuahua became the third state in Mexico to allow same-sex couples to marry.[90]

In January 2010, in the northwestern Mexican state of Sonora, a same-sex marriage bill has been proposed.[91] In southeastern Tabasco, the state's largest political parties, the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) and the Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD), have announced their support for same-sex marriage in the 2010 agenda.[92] In the western state of Michoacán, the Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD) has announced it will propose bills concerning civil unions, same-sex marriage and adoption by same-sex couples in 2010.[93] In neighboring Colima, governor Mario Anguiano Moreno has agreed to discuss the legalization of civil unions and adoption by same-sex couples.[94]

On 12 June 2015, the governor of Chihuahua announced that his administration would no longer oppose same-sex marriages within the state. The order was effective immediately, thus making Chihuahua the third state to legalize such unions.[95][96]

United States

Wikinews has related news: Interview with gay marriage movement founder Evan Wolfson

Marriage laws in the United States are governed by the 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. On June 26, 2015, the US Supreme Court ruled that same-sex marriage is a constitutional right under the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, thereby making same-sex marriage legal throughout the United States.[97]

Prior to 26 June 2015, same-sex marriages were legal in the District of Columbia (2010), one territory: Guam (2015), and thirty-six states: Massachusetts (2004), Connecticut (2008), Iowa (2009), Vermont (2009), New Hampshire (2010), New York (2011), Washington (2012), Maine (2012), Maryland (2013), California (2013), Delaware (2013), Minnesota (2013), Rhode Island (2013), New Jersey (2013), Hawaii (2013), New Mexico (2013), Oregon (2014), Pennsylvania (2014), Illinois (2014), Utah (2014), Oklahoma (2014), Indiana (2014), Wisconsin (2014), Virginia (2014), Colorado (2014), West Virginia (2014), Nevada (2014), Idaho (2014), North Carolina (2014), Alaska (2014), Arizona (2014), Wyoming (2014), Kansas (2014), Montana (2014), South Carolina (2014) and Florida (2015).

Twenty-four Native American tribes have also legalized same-sex marriage. Those are: the Blackfoot Tribe, the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Tribes of Alaska, the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes, the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, the Coquille Tribe, the Fort McDermitt Paiute and Shoshone Tribes of the Fort McDermitt Indian Reservation, the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, the Grand Portage Band of Chippewa, the Iipay Nation of Santa Ysabel, the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, the Mashantucket Pequot, the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin, the Pascua Yaqui Tribe, the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians, the Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe, the The Puyallup Tribe of Indians, the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, the San Carlos Apache Tribe, the Suquamish Tribe and the Wind River Indian Reservation.

In 2005, California became the first state to pass a bill authorizing same-sex marriages without a court order, but this bill was vetoed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. In 2008, the Supreme Court of California overturned a law banning same-sex marriages that had been passed by a voter initiative in 2000 (Proposition 22).[98] The legal effect of the court ruling was curtailed by another voter initiative called Proposition 8 later that year.[99] Proposition 8 was upheld by the California Supreme Court in 2009, holding that same-sex couples have all the rights of heterosexual couples, except the right to the "designation" of marriage.[100] But the court also ruled that marriages performed after its 2008 decision and before the passage of Proposition 8 remained legally valid. Attempts to overturn Proposition 8 by another voter initiative immediately followed the court's ruling.

The case was eventually appealed to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. On 7 February 2012, in a 2–1 decision, the court affirmed Judge Walker's decision declaring the Proposition 8 ban on same-sex marriage to be unconstitutional (see Prop 8 Ruling).[101] The panel continued a stay on the ruling, however, barring any marriages from taking place pending further appeals.[102] The case was granted review Supreme Court certiorari as Hollingsworth v. Perry, and was decided on June 26, 2013.

Federal recognition

Although marriage laws are the province of state law in the U.S., after the Hawaii State Supreme Court became the first U.S. state supreme court to rule that the denial of marriage to same-sex couples was discriminatory in 1993, the U.S. Congress passed the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in 1996. (Hawaii passed a constitutional amendment in 1998 that allowed the legislature to overturn the court's 1993 decision.)

Section 3 of DOMA defined marriage as a union between a man and a woman, and its purpose was to enable states to deny recognition of same-sex marriages performed in other states.[103] Under DOMA, same-sex couples who married in states that granted legal marriages were denied federal rights that attached to marriage.

On 26 June 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court declared Section 3 of DOMA to be unconstitutional in United States v. Windsor. The court said that the provision was "a deprivation of the equal liberty of persons that is protected by the Fifth Amendment."[104] With this ruling the federal government must recognize same-sex marriages performed by states that allow same-sex marriage and affects several federal rights, including enabling a U.S. citizen to petition a same-sex spouse for immigration.[105] The Court in the United States v. Windsor case did not, however, address the constitutionality of DOMA Section 2, which allowed a state to deny recognition of a same-sex marriages granted in other states.

In February 2015, the United States Department of Labor issued its final rule amending the definition of spouse under the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 "FMLA" in response to the Windsor decision. The new rule is effective March 27, 2015.[106] The revised definition of "spouse" extends now FMLA leave rights and job protections to eligible employees in a same-sex marriage or a common-law marriage entered into in a state where those statuses are legally recognized, regardless of the state in which the employee currently works or resides.[107] Accordingly, even if an employer has employees working where same-sex or common law marriage is not recognized, those employees’ spouses would trigger FMLA coverage if an employee was married in one of the many states that recognize same-sex marriage or common law marriage.[108]

The Obergfell decision on 26 June 2015 essentially eliminated any distinction between same-sex marriage and opposite-sex marriage on the federal level, holding that marriage was a constitutional right, and that same-sex couples were entitled to equal rights under the law.[109]

Civil unions

Several other states offered alternative legal certifications that recognized same-sex relationships. Before states enacted these laws, U.S. cities began offering recognition of these unions. These laws bestow marriage-like rights to these couples, and are referred to as civil unions, domestic partnerships, or reciprocal beneficiaries depending on the state. The extent to which these unions resembled marriage varied by state, and several states had enhanced the rights afforded to them over time. The U.S. jurisdictions that used these forms of same-sex union recognition instead of marriage are: Colorado (2009), Wisconsin (2009), and Nevada (2009).

State/Territory-level bans

An attempt to ban same-sex marriages and any other legal recognition of same-sex couples in the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico failed in 2008. Puerto Rico already banned same-sex marriage by statute.[110] Same-sex marriage is still not performed in American Samoa an Unorganized territory of the U.S. The application of the U.S. Supreme court decision to the territory is unclear and has not been challenged.[111]

Coquille

In 2008, the Native American Coquille Nation passed a law recognizing same-sex marriage, the first tribal nation to do so.[112] Although the Oregon voters approved an amendment to the Oregon Constitution in 2004 to prohibit such marriages, the Coquille are not bound by the Oregon Constitution, because they are a federally recognized sovereign nation.[113]

Cherokee

After a Cherokee lesbian couple applied for a marriage license, the Cherokee Nation Tribal Council unanimously approved a Constitutional amendment in 2004 defining marriage as between one man and one woman. The couple appealed to the judicial court on grounds that their union predated the amendment, and on 22 December 2005 the Judicial Appeals Tribunal of the Cherokee Nation dismissed an injunction against the lesbian couple filed by members of the Tribal Council to stop the marriage.[114] The couple would still need to file the marriage certificate for the marriage to become legal.

Cheyenne and Arapaho

The Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes granted a marriage license to a same-sex couple, both of American Indian descent, on October 10, 2013 in Oklahoma.[115] There was no preceding government announcement or official act.

Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians

The tribe of Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians in Michigan legalized marriage for same-sex couples in March 2013.[116]

Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians

The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians announced recognition for same-sex marriages in March, 2013. They issued their first such marriage certificate to a male couple on June 20, 2013.[117]

Saint Ysabel Tribe

On June 24, 2013, the Saint Ysabel Tribe announced their recognition of same-sex marriage, becoming the first tribe in California to do so.[118]

Oceania

Australia

Status of same-sex unions in Australia.
  Civil or Domestic Partnership
  Defined statewide as "de facto"

Since August 2004, same-sex marriage became banned under an amended federal law Marriage Act 1961 (Amendment) Act 2004 so that neither a foreign same-sex marriage can be performed or recognised in the Commonwealth Marriage Act 1961. This effectively banned same-sex marriage in Australia. The law, which prior to 2004, had not defined marriage specifically, appropriated marriage as the "voluntary union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others." In 1874 under the Hyde vs. Hyde case marriage was defined in the common law as a "voluntary union of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others." Neither Civil partnerships nor civil unions are recognised by the Commonwealth Government, either. The Federal Opposition, namely the Australian Labor Party under the leadership of Mark Latham, joined with the Government to support the ban, amid strong objection from the Australian Democrats and The Greens. It was passed on 13 August 2004 as effective from the day of assent. In June 2009, polling showed that 60 percent of Australians support same-gender marriage (Galaxy).

The states and territories of New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory have civil partnerships or relationship registration schemes that are available for all couples. Local governments such as Sydney, Melbourne and Yarra also provide relationship registers for symbolic recognition, but these do not provide any legal rights. Furthermore, all states and the Commonwealth Government provide recognition to same-sex couples (and unmarried opposite-sex couples) as "de facto" couples, providing them with most of the rights of married couples.

At their 2011 party conference, Labor added support of same-sex marriage to their platform in a conscience vote.[119] As of July 2015, a faction of the ruling Liberals also support same-sex marriage, and are pushing for a free vote on the issue.[120][121]

Oceania
  Same-sex marriage
  Other type of partnership (or unregistered cohabitation)
  No recognition
  Same-sex sexual activity illegal

Fiji

On 26 March 2013, Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama expressed opposition to the idea of same-sex marriage. Answering a question raised by a caller on a radio talk-back programme, he stated that same-sex marriage "will not be allowed because it is against religious beliefs".[122][123]

New Zealand

From 2005, civil unions, which impart all of the same rights and privileges as marriage (except for adoption), have been legal.

On 17 April 2013, the Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Bill, a member's bill sponsored by openly lesbian Labour MP Louisa Wall that would legalise same sex marriage was passed by Parliament, 77 votes to 44.[124] The bill received Royal Assent from the Governor-General on 19 April and took effect on 19 August 2013.[125]

In the first year after the law became operational, 926 same-sex marriages were registered in New Zealand, including 532 marriages (57.5%) between New Zealand citizens, and 237 marriages (25.6%) between Australian citizens.[126][127]

Samoa

Samoa is a deeply conservative Christian nation.[128] Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi in 2012 reportedly "scoffed" at the idea of same-sex marriage being adopted in Samoa, and indicated that he would not support it.[129] He reiterated this position, on explicitly religious grounds, in March 2013.[130]

South America

Recognition of same-sex unions in South America
  Marriage
  Other type of partnership
  Unrecognized or unknown
  Same-sex marriage banned
  Same-sex sexual activity illegal
----

Same-sex marriage is possible in Argentina (2010), Brazil (2013), Uruguay (2013) and Colombia (2016).

Argentina

On 22 July 2010, Argentina became the first country in Latin America to legalise same-sex marriage. The law also allows same-sex couples to adopt.[131] And in many jurisdictions, including the city of Buenos Aires, it is also legal for non-residents and tourists.[132]

Brazil

Further information: Same-sex marriage in Brazil

On 25 October 2011, Brazil's Supreme Court of Justice ruled that two women can enter into civil marriage under the current law, thus overturning the decision of two lower court's ruling against the women.[133] Following this ruling, a growing number of courts of Brazilian states, such as the most populous state of São Paulo, implemented directives which allowed for same-sex civil marriages in the same manner as other marriages.

Same-sex couples can currently have registered partnerships and full rights to adopt children in all states, and same-sex marriages based on court orders have occurred in several states in individual cases.

On May 14, 2013, Brazil's National Justice Council (CNJ) ruled in favor of recognizing same-sex marriage nationwide.[134]

Colombia

The Colombian Constitutional Court ruled in February 2007 that same-sex couples are entitled to the same inheritance rights as heterosexuals in common-law marriages. This ruling made Colombia the first South American nation to legally recognize gay couples. In January 2009, the Court ruled that same-sex couples must be extended all of the rights offered to cohabitating heterosexual couples.[135] On July 26, 2011, the Court ordered the Congress to pass the legislation giving same-sex couples similar rights to marriage in two years (by June 20, 2013). Such a law was defeated[136][137][138] In April of 2016, the Colombian Constitutional Court voted 6-3 to allow same-sex marriage, with the ruling taking effect immediately.[139]

Ecuador

The 2008 new constitution made Ecuador the first country in South America where same sex civil union couples are legally recognized as a family and share all the same rights of married heterosexual couples (except for adoption).

Peru

Main article: LGBT rights in Peru

In April 2014, legislator Carlos Bruce received a petition signed by 10 thousand people in favor of allowing civil unions for gay couples.[140] Bruce, who put forward the change in the law in September last year, hopes that it will alleviate the discrimination faced by gay Peruvians.

The bill was scheduled to be debated on April 7 in front of the Commission of Justice and Human Rights, but ultimately was postponed until after Easter. While the country has a history of rejecting bills that protect gay people, supporters and allies are hopeful that the Peruvian Congress will move forward with the bill.[141]

In June 2014, bills taking on different forms of recognition, some with more rights than others, were discussed in Congress. After a dramatic debate, it was decided by politician Carlos Bruce, who had earlier announced to the public that he was gay, that the original Civil Union bill he submitted with more rights should be voted on separately from other proposals. More than one bill allowing for recognition of same-sex relationships will be discussed in the next parliamentary session which begins in August.[142]

Uruguay

Uruguay became the first country in South America to allow civil unions (for both opposite sex and same-sex couples) in a national platform on 1 January 2008.

Children can be adopted by same-sex couples since 2009.[143][144] A same-sex marriage bill passed in the Chamber of Deputies in December 2012,[145][146] as well as in the Senate in April 2013 but with minor amendments. The amended bill was approved by the Chamber of Deputies in a 71–21 vote on April 10 and then on May 3, 2013 got the signature from the President.[147] The law took effect on August 5, 2013.[148]

Religious recognition

The religious status of same-sex marriage has been changing since the late 20th century and varies greatly. Reformed traditions in mainly Protestant (Liberal Christian denominations and Unitarian churches) and Reformed Jewish societies tend to be more receptive to the idea than orthodox or conservative ones, but many others, particularly some Protestant churches are deeply divided over the issue.

Recognized

Many religious institutions that do recognize same-sex marriage avoid using the terms "marriages" or "weddings", and instead call them "blessings" or "unions." How and to what degree these institutions embrace the idea varies, often by congregation. These institutions have recognized same-sex marriage or encourage it in their congregations in some fashion, either simply as marriage or some kind blessing or union:

Christianity

The following denominations accept same-sex unions to some degree:

Judaism

Rabbis will also perform blessings of same sex relationships where one partner is Jewish and the other is not so long as a (legal) Civil Partnership is in force for the couple.

Other

Debated or divided

In many religious traditions, the adherents are deeply divided over the issue, often alongside other contentious issues, such as having women in leadership positions or legalizing abortions. The institutions within the following traditions are either debating the issue or have policies that vary according to congregation:

Christianity

Judaism

Hinduism

Other

Not recognized

The religious traditions or institutions that do not recognize same-sex marriage tend to view homosexuality as immoral. These traditions or institutions do not recognize same-sex unions in any form or in any congregation:

Christianity

Judaism

Others

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Same-sex marriage.

Notes

  1. ↑ Excluding Aruba, Curaçao and St Maarten.
  2. ↑ Excluding the Faroe Islands. Took effect in Greenland on 1 October 2015.
  3. ↑ Excluding Tokelau, Niue and the Cook Islands.
  4. ↑ Excluding Northern Ireland, the Crown dependencies and most British Overseas Territories. (Same-sex marriage is legal in the Pitcairn Islands).
  5. ↑ Excluding most Native American tribes. (Same-sex marriage is legal in 24 of them). Application to American Samoa unclear.

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