Same-sex marriage
Same-sex marriage, also known as gay marriage, is marriage between people of the same sex, either as a secular civil ceremony or in a religious setting.
In the late 20th century, religious rites of marriage without legal recognition became increasingly common. The first law providing for marriage of people of the same sex in modern times was enacted in 2001 in the Netherlands. As of 28 April 2016[update], fifteen countries (Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, France, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden and Uruguay) and certain sub-jurisdictions (parts of Denmark,[nb 1] Mexico,[nb 2] the Netherlands,[nb 3] New Zealand,[nb 4] the United Kingdom[nb 5] and the United States[nb 6]) allow same-sex couples to marry. A similar law in Finland is not yet in force. Polls show rising support for legally recognizing same-sex marriage in the Americas, Australia and most of Europe.[1][2][3] However, as of 2016 South Africa is the only African country where same-sex marriage is recognized, and although no country in Asia allows same-sex marriage ceremonies, Israel accepts same-sex marriages performed overseas.[4]
Colors higher in the list override those lower down.
rings = individual cases
Introduction of same-sex marriage laws has varied by jurisdiction, being variously accomplished through legislative change to marriage laws, a court ruling based on constitutional guarantees of equality, or by direct popular vote (via ballot initiative or referendum). The recognition of same-sex marriage is a political and social issue, and also a religious issue in many countries, and debates continue to arise over whether people in same-sex relationships should be allowed marriage or some similar status (a civil union).[5][6][7] Same-sex marriage can provide those in same-sex relationships who pay their taxes with government services and make financial demands on them comparable to those afforded to and required of those in opposite-sex marriages. Same-sex marriage also gives them legal protections such as inheritance and hospital visitation rights.[8] Various faith communities around the world support allowing those of the same sex to marry, while many major religions oppose same-sex marriage. Opponents of same-sex marriages have argued that recognition of same-sex marriages would erode religious freedoms, undermine a right of children to be raised by their biological mother and father or erode the institution of marriage itself.
Some analysts state that financial, psychological and physical well-being are enhanced by marriage, and that children of same-sex parents or carers benefit from being raised by two parents within a legally recognized union supported by society's institutions.[9][10][11][12][13] Court documents filed by American scientific associations also state that singling out gay men and women as ineligible for marriage both stigmatizes and invites public discrimination against them.[14] The American Anthropological Association asserts that social science research does not support the view that either civilization or viable social orders depend upon not recognizing same-sex marriage.[15]
Contents
- 1 Terminology
- 2 Studies
- 3 History
- 4 Same-sex marriage around the world
- 4.1 Legal recognition
- 4.1.1 Argentina
- 4.1.2 Belgium
- 4.1.3 Brazil
- 4.1.4 Canada
- 4.1.5 Colombia
- 4.1.6 Denmark
- 4.1.7 Finland
- 4.1.8 France
- 4.1.9 Iceland
- 4.1.10 Ireland
- 4.1.11 Luxembourg
- 4.1.12 Mexico
- 4.1.13 Netherlands
- 4.1.14 New Zealand
- 4.1.15 Norway
- 4.1.16 Portugal
- 4.1.17 South Africa
- 4.1.18 Spain
- 4.1.19 Sweden
- 4.1.20 United Kingdom
- 4.1.21 United States
- 4.1.22 Uruguay
- 4.2 National debates
- 4.3 International organizations
- 4.4 Non-sexual same-sex marriage
- 4.1 Legal recognition
- 5 Other legally recognized same-sex unions
- 6 Religious views
- 7 Issues
- 8 See also
- 9 Notes
- 10 References
- 11 Bibliography
- 12 External links
Terminology[edit]
Alternative terms[edit]
Some proponents of legal recognition of same-sex marriage, such as Freedom to Marry and Canadians for Equal Marriage, use the terms marriage equality and equal marriage to indicate that they seek equal benefit of marriage laws as opposed to special rights.[16][17][18][19][20][21][22]
Opponents of the legalization of same-sex marriage sometimes characterize it as redefining marriage or redefined marriage, especially in the United States.[23][24] The term homosexual marriage is generally used by organisations opposed to same-sex marriage such as the Family Research Council in the United States;[25] that term is rarely used in the mainstream press.[26]
Associated Press style recommends the usages marriage for gays and lesbians or in space-limited headlines gay marriage with no hyphen and no scare quotes. The Associated Press warns that the construct gay marriage can imply that marriages of same-sex couples are somehow legally different from those of mixed-sex couples.[27][28]
Use of term marriage[edit]
Anthropologists have struggled to determine a definition of marriage that absorbs commonalities of the social construct across cultures around the world.[29][30] Many proposed definitions have been criticized for failing to recognize the existence of same-sex marriage in some cultures, including in more than 30 African cultures, such as the Kikuyu and Nuer.[30][31][32]
With several countries revising their marriage laws to recognize same-sex couples in the 21st century, all major English dictionaries have revised their definition of the word marriage to either drop gender specifications or supplement them with secondary definitions to include gender-neutral language or explicit recognition of same-sex unions.[33][34] The Oxford English Dictionary has recognized same-sex marriage since 2000.[35]
Alan Dershowitz and others have suggested reserving the word marriage for religious contexts as part of privatizing marriage, and in civil and legal contexts using a uniform concept of civil unions, in part to strengthen the separation between church and state.[36] Jennifer Roback Morse, the president of the anti-same-sex marriage group National Organization for Marriage's Ruth Institute project,[37] claims that the conflation of marriage with contractual agreements is a threat to marriage.[38]
Some publications that oppose same-sex marriage, such as WorldNetDaily and Baptist Press, have an editorial style policy of placing the word marriage in scare quotes ("marriage") when it is used in reference to same-sex couples.[citation needed] In the United States, the mainstream press has generally abandoned this practice.[26] Cliff Kincaid of the conservative Accuracy in Media argued for use of quotation marks on the grounds that marriage was a legal status denied same-sex couples by most US state governments.[39] Same-sex marriage supporters argue that the use of scare quotes is an editorialization that implies illegitimacy.[40]
Opponents of same-sex marriage such as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, and the Southern Baptist Convention use the term traditional marriage to mean marriages between one man and one woman.[41][42][43]
Studies[edit]
The American Anthropological Association stated on 26 February 2004:[15]
The results of more than a century of anthropological research on households, kinship relationships, and families, across cultures and through time, provide no support whatsoever for the view that either civilization or viable social orders depend upon marriage as an exclusively heterosexual institution. Rather, anthropological research supports the conclusion that a vast array of family types, including families built upon same-sex partnerships, can contribute to stable and humane societies.
Research findings from 1998–2014 from the University of Virginia, Michigan State University, Florida State University, the University of Amsterdam, the New York State Psychiatric Institute, Stanford University, the University of California-San Francisco, the University of California-Los Angeles, Tufts University, Boston Medical Center, the Committee on Psychosocial Aspects of Child and Family Health and independent researchers also support the findings of this study.[44]
Health[edit]
In 2010, a Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health study examining the effects of institutional discrimination on the psychiatric health of lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) individuals found an increase in psychiatric disorders, including a more than doubling of anxiety disorders, among the LGB population living in states that instituted bans on same-sex marriage. According to the author, the study highlighted the importance of abolishing institutional forms of discrimination, including those leading to disparities in the mental health and well-being of LGB individuals. Institutional discrimination is characterized by societal-level conditions that limit the opportunities and access to resources by socially disadvantaged groups.[45][46]
Gay activist Jonathan Rauch has argued that marriage is good for all men, whether homosexual or heterosexual, because engaging in its social roles reduces men's aggression and promiscuity.[47][48] The data of current psychological and other social science studies on same-sex marriage in comparison to mixed-sex marriage indicate that same-sex and mixed-sex relationships do not differ in their essential psychosocial dimensions; that a parent's sexual orientation is unrelated to their ability to provide a healthy and nurturing family environment; and that marriage bestows substantial psychological, social, and health benefits. Same-sex parents and carers and their children are likely to benefit in numerous ways from legal recognition of their families, and providing such recognition through marriage will bestow greater benefit than civil unions or domestic partnerships.[49][50]
The American Psychological Association stated in 2004: "...Denial of access to marriage to same-sex couples may especially harm people who also experience discrimination based on age, race, ethnicity, disability, gender and gender identity, religion, socioeconomic status and so on." It has also averred that same-sex couples who may only enter into a civil union, as opposed to a marriage, "are denied equal access to all the benefits, rights, and privileges provided by federal law to those of married couples," which has adverse effects on the well-being of same-sex partners.[9]
In 2009, a pair of economists at Emory University tied the passage of state bans on same-sex marriage in the US to an increase in the rates of HIV infection.[51][52] The study linked the passage of a same-sex marriage ban in a state to an increase in the annual HIV rate within that state of roughly 4 cases per 100,000 population.[53]
Parenting[edit]
Many psychologist organizations have concluded that children stand to benefit from the well-being that results when their parents' relationship is recognized and supported by society's institutions, e.g. civil marriage. For example, the Canadian Psychological Association stated in 2006 that "parents' financial, psychological and physical well-being is enhanced by marriage and that children benefit from being raised by two parents within a legally-recognized union."[12] The CPA stated in 2003 the stressors encountered by gay and lesbian parents and their children are more likely the result of the way society treats them than because of any deficiencies in fitness to parent.[12]
The American Academy of Pediatrics concluded in 2006, in an analysis published in the journal Pediatrics:[49]
There is ample evidence to show that children raised by same-gender parents fare as well as those raised by heterosexual parents. More than 25 years of research have documented that there is no relationship between parents' sexual orientation and any measure of a child's emotional, psychosocial, and behavioral adjustment. These data have demonstrated no risk to children as a result of growing up in a family with 1 or more gay parents. Conscientious and nurturing adults, whether they are men or women, heterosexual or homosexual, can be excellent parents. The rights, benefits, and protections of civil marriage can further strengthen these families.
Opinion polling[edit]
Numerous polls and studies on the issue have been conducted, including those that were completed throughout the first decade of the 21st century. A consistent trend of increasing support for same-sex marriage has been revealed across the world. Much of the research that was conducted in developed countries in the first decade of the 21st century shows a majority of people in support of same-sex marriage. Support for legal same-sex marriage has increased across every age group, political ideology, religion, gender, race and region of various developed countries in the world.[54][55][56][57][58]
Recent polling in the United States has shown a further increase in public support for same-sex marriage. When adults were asked in 2005 if they thought "marriages between homosexuals should or should not be recognized by the law as valid, with the same rights as traditional marriages", 28 percent replied in the affirmative, while 68 percent replied in the negative (the remaining 4 percent stated that they were unsure). When adults were asked in March 2013 if they supported or opposed same-sex marriage, 50 percent said they supported same-sex marriage, while 41 percent were opposed, and the remaining 9 percent stated that they were unsure.[59] Various detailed polls and studies on same-sex marriage that were conducted in several countries show that support for same-sex marriage generally increases with higher levels of education and decreases with age.[60][61][62][63][64]
History[edit]
Ancient[edit]
The first historical mention of the performance of same-sex marriages occurred during the early Roman Empire according to controversial[65] historian John Boswell.[66] These were usually reported in a critical or satirical manner.[67] Child emperor Elagabalus referred to his chariot driver, a blond slave from Caria named Hierocles, as his husband.[68] He also married an athlete named Zoticus in a lavish public ceremony in Rome amidst the rejoicings of the citizens.[69][70]
The first Roman emperor to have married a man was Nero, who is reported to have married two other males on different occasions. The first was with one of Nero's own freedmen, Pythagoras, with whom Nero took the role of the bride.[71] Later, as a groom, Nero married Sporus, a young boy, to replace the teenage female concubine he had killed[72] and married him in a very public ceremony with all the solemnities of matrimony, after which Sporus was forced to pretend to be the female concubine that Nero had killed and act as though they were really married.[72] A friend gave the "bride" away as required by law. The marriage was celebrated in both Greece and Rome in extravagant public ceremonies.[73]
It should be noted, however, that conubium existed only between a civis Romanus and a civis Romana (that is, between a male Roman citizen and a female Roman citizen), so that a marriage between two Roman males (or with a slave) would have no legal standing in Roman law (apart, presumably, from the arbitrary will of the emperor in the two aforementioned cases).[74] Furthermore, according to Susan Treggiari, "matrimonium was then an institution involving a mother, mater. The idea implicit in the word is that a man took a woman in marriage, in matrimonium ducere, so that he might have children by her."[75] Still, the lack of legal validity notwithstanding, there is a consensus among modern historians that same-sex relationships existed in ancient Rome, though the frequency and nature of "same-sex unions" during that period are obscure.[76]
In 342 AD Christian emperors Constantius II and Constans issued a law in the Theodosian Code (C. Th. 9.7.3) prohibiting same-sex marriage in Rome and ordering execution for those so married.[77]
Medieval[edit]
A same-sex marriage between two men, Pedro Dias and Muño Vandilas, occurred on 16 April 1061 in the Galician municipality of Rairiz de Veiga in Spain. They were married by a priest at a small chapel. The historic documents about the church wedding were found at Monastery of San Salvador de Celanova.[78]
Contemporary[edit]
Writing in Harvard Magazine in 2013, legal historian Michael Klarman wrote that while there was a growth of gay rights activism in the 1970s United States, "Marriage equality was not then a priority." He argued that many gay people were not initially interested in marriage, deeming it to be a traditionalist institution, and that the search for legal recognition of same-sex relationships began in the late 1980s.[79] Others, such as Faramerz Dabhoiwala writing for The Guardian, say that the modern movement began in the 1990s.[80]
Denmark was the first country to recognize a legal relationship for same-sex couples, establishing "registered partnerships" in 1989. This gave those in same-sex relationships "most rights of married heterosexuals, but not the right to adopt or obtain joint custody of a child".[81] In 2001, the Netherlands[nb 3] became the first country to permit same-sex marriages.[82] Since then same-sex marriages have been permitted and mutually recognized by Belgium (2003),[83] Spain (2005), Canada (2005), South Africa (2006), Norway (2009), Sweden (2009), Portugal (2010),[84] Iceland (2010), Argentina (2010),[85] Denmark (2012),[nb 1] Brazil (2013), France (2013), Uruguay (2013), New Zealand[nb 4] (2013), the United Kingdom[nb 5] (2014), Luxembourg (2015), the United States[nb 6] (2015), Ireland (2015) and Colombia (2016).[86] Same-sex marriage is to become legal in Finland on 1 March 2017. In Mexico, same-sex marriages are performed in a number of states and recognised in all thirty-one states. In Nepal, their recognition has been judicially mandated but not yet legislated.[87]
Timeline[edit]
| 2001 |  Netherlands (1 April) |
|---|---|
| 2002 | |
| 2003 |  Belgium (1 June), Ontario (10 June), British Columbia (8 July) |
| 2004 | San Francisco, California (12 February, discontinued 11 March), Sandoval County, New Mexico (20 February, discontinued), New Paltz, New York (27 February, discontinued), Multnomah County, Oregon (3 March, discontinued 20 April), Asbury Park, New Jersey (5 March, discontinued 9 March), Quebec (19 March), Massachusetts (17 May), Yukon (14 July), Manitoba (16 September), Nova Scotia (24 September), Saskatchewan (5 November), Newfoundland and Labrador (21 December) |
| 2005 | New Brunswick (23 June),  Spain (3 July),  Canada [nationwide] (20 July) |
| 2006 |  South Africa (30 November) |
| 2007 | |
| 2008 | California (16 June, discontinued 5 November), Connecticut (12 November) |
| 2009 |  Norway (1 January), Iowa (27 April),  Sweden (1 May), Coquille Indian Tribe (20 May), Vermont (1 September) |
| 2010 | New Hampshire (1 January), District of Columbia (3 March), Mexican Federal District (4 March), Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation (29 April),  Portugal (5 June),  Iceland (27 June),  Argentina (22 July) |
| 2011 | New York (24 July), Suquamish Tribe (1 August) |
| 2012 | Alagoas (6 January), Quintana Roo (3 May),  Denmark (15 June), Santa Rita do Sapucaí, Minas Gerais (11 July), Sergipe (15 July), Espírito Santo (15 August), Caribbean Netherlands (10 October), Bahia (26 November), Brazilian Federal District (1 December), Washington (6 December), Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe (9 December), Piauí (15 December), Maine (29 December) |
| 2013 | Maryland (1 January), São Paulo (16 February), Ceará (15 March), Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians (15 March), Paraná (26 March), Mato Grosso do Sul (2 April), Rondônia (26 April), Santa Catarina (29 April), Paraíba (29 April), Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians (8 May),  Brazil [nationwide] (16 May),  France (18 May), Iipay Nation of Santa Ysabel (24 June), California (28 June), Delaware (1 July), Minnesota (1 August), Rhode Island (1 August), Grand Portage Band of Chippewa (1 August),  Uruguay (5 August),  New Zealand (19 August), Doña Ana County, New Mexico (21 August), Santa Fe County, New Mexico (23 August), Bernalillo County, New Mexico (26 August), San Miguel County, New Mexico (27 August), Valencia County, New Mexico (27 August), Taos County, New Mexico (28 August), Los Alamos County, New Mexico (4 September), Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation (5 September), Grant County, New Mexico (9 September), Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes (18 October),[88][89] New Jersey (21 October), Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe (15 November), Hawaii (2 December), Australian Capital Territory (7 December, invalidated 12 December), New Mexico [statewide] (19 December), Utah (20 December, discontinued 6 January 2014) |
| 2014 | Cook County, Illinois (21 February),   England and Wales (13 March), Michigan (21 March, discontinued 22 March), Arkansas (9 May, discontinued 16 May), Oregon (19 May), Pennsylvania (20 May), Illinois [statewide] (1 June), Wisconsin (6 June, discontinued 13 June), Indiana (25 June, discontinued 27 June), Puyallup Tribe of Indians (9 July), Coahuila (17 September), Oklahoma (6 October), Virginia (6 October), Utah (6 October), Indiana (6 October), Wisconsin (6 October), Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa (6 October), Colorado (7 October), West Virginia (9 October), Nevada (9 October), Fort McDermitt Paiute and Shoshone Tribes (9 October), North Carolina (10 October), Alaska (12 October), Idaho (15 October), Arizona (17 October), Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation (17 October), Pascua Yaqui Tribe (17 October), Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (17 October), San Carlos Apache Tribe (17 October), Wyoming (21 October), St. Louis, Missouri (5 November), St. Louis County, Missouri (6 November), Jackson County, Missouri (7 November), Douglas County, Kansas (12 November), Sedgwick County, Kansas (12 November), Eastern Shoshone Tribe (14 November), Northern Arapaho Tribe (14 November), Montana (19 November), Blackfeet Nation (19 November), South Carolina (20 November), Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (13 December),  Scotland (16 December) |
| 2015 |  Luxembourg (1 January), Miami-Dade County, Florida (5 January), Florida [statewide] (6 January), Alabama (9 February, discontinued 4 March), Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska (24 February),  Pitcairn Islands (14 May), Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians (15 May), Guam (9 June), Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin (10 June), Chihuahua (12 June),  United States [nationwide] (26 June), Santiago de Querétaro, Querétaro (21 July),  Ireland (16 November), Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon (18 November), Nayarit (23 December) |
| 2016 | Oglala Sioux Tribe (25 January),  Greenland (1 April),  Colombia (28 April), Jalisco [statewide] (12 May), Campeche (20 May), Colima (12 June), Michoacán (23 June),  Faroe Islands (1 July) |
| 2017 |  Finland (1 March),  Jersey |
| TBD |  Guernsey,  Isle of Man, Morelos, Ascension |
International organisations[edit]
European Court of Human Rights[edit]
In 2010 the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled on Schalk and Kopf v Austria, a case involving an Austrian same-sex couple who were denied the right to marry.[90] The court found that their human rights had not been violated, with a result of 3 votes for and 4 votes against.[91]
British judge Sir Nicolas Bratza, then head of the European Court of Human Rights, delivered a speech in 2012 that signalled the court was ready to declare same-sex marriage a "human right", as soon as enough countries fell into line.[92][93][94]
Article 12 of the European Convention on Human Rights states that: "Men and women of marriageable age have the right to marry and to found a family, according to the national laws governing the exercise of this right",[95] not limiting marriage to those in a heterosexual relationship. However, the ECHR stated in Schalk and Kopf v Austria that this provision was intended to limit marriage to heterosexual relationships, as it used the term "men and women" instead of "everyone".[90]
European Union[edit]
On 12 March 2015 the European Parliament passed a non-binding resolution recognising the right to marry for those of the same sex as a human and civil rights issue.[96][97][98]
Same-sex marriage around the world[edit]
| Same-sex intercourse legal | Same-sex intercourse illegal | ||
|
|
Marriage1 |
|
Unenforced penalty |
|
|
Marriage recognized but not performed1 |
|
Imprisonment |
|
|
Civil unions1 |
|
Up to life in prison |
|
|
Unregistered cohabitation1 |
|
Death penalty |
|
|
Same-sex unions not recognized | ||
|
|
Laws restricting freedom of expression and association |
1Some jurisdictions in this category may currently have other types of partnerships.
Same-sex marriage became legal nationwide in Belgium (2003), Spain (2005), Canada (2005), South Africa (2006), Norway (2009), Sweden (2009), Portugal (2010), Iceland (2010), Argentina (2010), Brazil (2013), France (2013), Uruguay (2013), Luxembourg (2015), Ireland (2015) and Colombia (2016). It also became legal in parts of Denmark (2012),[nb 1] Mexico (2010),[nb 2] the Netherlands (2001),[nb 3] New Zealand (2013),[nb 4] the United Kingdom (2014),[nb 5] and the United States (2015).[nb 6] The law in Finland is expected to take effect on 1 March 2017.
The status of same-same marriage is a complicated matter in a number of other nations. In Mexico marriages are recognized by all sub-national jurisdictions and by the federal government.[99] On 3 June 2015, Mexico's Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation released a "jurisprudential thesis" declaring the current purpose of marriage, which is procreation, as unconstitutional and discriminatory towards same-sex relationships. Courts nationwide must now authorize marriages between people of the same-sex through injunctions, a process slower and more expensive than opposite-sex marriage.[100] Israel does not recognize same-sex marriages performed in its territory, but same-sex marriages performed in foreign jurisdictions are recorded strictly 'for statistical purposes', thereby avoiding official recognition of same-sex marriages by the state.[101]
Legal recognition[edit]
Argentina[edit]
On 15 July 2010, the Argentine Senate approved a bill extending marriage rights to same-sex couples. It was supported by the Government of President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner and opposed by the Catholic Church.[102] Polls showed that nearly 70% of Argentines supported giving gay people the same marital rights as heterosexuals.[103] The law came into effect on 22 July 2010.[citation needed]
Belgium[edit]
Belgium became the second country in the world to legally recognize same-sex marriages when a bill passed by the Belgian Federal Parliament took effect on 1 June 2003. Originally, Belgium allowed the marriages of foreign same-sex couples only if their country of origin also allowed these unions, however legislation enacted in October 2004 permits any couple to marry if at least one of the spouses has lived in the country for a minimum of three months. A 2006 statute legalized adoption by same-sex spouses.
Brazil[edit]
.svg)
Brazil's Supreme Court ruled in May 2011 that same-sex couples are legally entitled to legal recognition of cohabitation (known as união estável, one of the two possible family entities in Brazilian legislation, it includes all family and married couple rights in Brazil – besides automatic opt-in for one of four systems of property share and automatic right to inheritance –, and was available for all same-sex couples since the same date), turning same-sex marriage legally possible as a consequence, and just stopping short of equalization of same-sex marriage (potentially confusing, a civil marriage or casamento civil is often rendered as união civil in legal Brazilian Portuguese; a same-sex marriage is a casamento civil homoafetivo or an união civil homoafetiva).[104]
Between mid-2011 and May 2013, same-sex couples had their cohabitation issues converted into marriage in several Brazil states with the approval of a state judge. All legal Brazilian marriages were always recognized all over Brazil.[105]
In November 2012, the Court of Bahia equalized marriage in the state of Bahia.[106][107] In December 2012, the state of São Paulo likewise had same-sex marriage allowed in demand by Court order.[108] Same-sex marriages also became equalized in relation to opposite-sex ones between January 2012 and April 2013 by Court order in Alagoas, Ceará, Espírito Santo, the Federal District, Mato Grosso do Sul, Paraíba, Paraná, Piauí, Rondônia, Santa Catarina and Sergipe, and in Santa Rita do Sapucaí, a municipality in Minas Gerais; in Rio de Janeiro, the State Court facilitated its realization by district judges in agreement with the equalization (instead of ordering notaries to accept same-sex marriages in demand as all others).
On 14 May 2013, The Justice's National Council of Brazil issues a ruling requiring all civil registers of the country to perform same-sex marriages by a 14–1 vote, thus legalizing same-sex marriage in the entire country.[109][110][111] The resolution came into effect on 16 May 2013.[112][113]
In March 2013, polls suggested that 47% of Brazilians supported marriage equalization and 57% supported adoption equalization for same-sex couples.[114] Polls in June 2013 also supported the conclusion that the division of opinion between acceptance and rejection of same-sex marriage is in about equal halves. When the distinction between same-sex unions that are not termed marriages in relation to same-sex marriage is made, the difference in the numbers of approval and disapproval is still insignificant, below 1%; the most frequent reason for disapproval is a supposed 'unnaturalness' of same-sex relationships, followed by religious beliefs.[115][116]
Canada[edit]
Legal recognition of same-sex marriage in Canada followed a series of constitutional challenges based on the equality provisions of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. In the first such case, Halpern v. Canada (Attorney General), same-sex marriage ceremonies performed in Ontario on 14 January 2001 were subsequently validated when the common law, mixed-sex definition of marriage was held to be unconstitutional. Similar rulings had legalized same-sex marriage in eight provinces and one territory when the 2005 Civil Marriage Act defined marriage throughout Canada as "the lawful union of two persons to the exclusion of all others."
Colombia[edit]
Same-sex marriage has been legal in Colombia since April 2016. The country's Constitutional Court ruled, on 28 April 2016 that same-sex couples are allowed to enter into civil marriages in the country and that judges and notaries are barred from refusing to perform same-sex weddings.[117][118][119] On 7 April 2016, the Court ruled that marriage doesn't only apply to opposite-sex couples.[120][121][122][123] Almost all advances in relationship recognition rights for same-sex couples has come from sweeping rulings of the Court. A series of rulings by the court that started in February 2007 meant that same-sex couples could apply for all the rights that heterosexual couples have in de facto unions (uniones de hecho).[124][125]
On 26 July 2011, the Constitutional Court of Colombia ordered the Congress to pass the legislation giving same-sex couples similar rights to marriage by 20 June 2013. If such a law were not passed by then, same-sex couples would be granted these rights automatically.[126][127]
In October 2012 Senator Armando Benedetti introduced a bill legalizing same-sex marriage. It initially only allowed for civil unions, but he amended the text.[128] The Senate's First Committee approved the bill on 4 December 2012.[129][130] On 24 April 2013, the bill was defeated in the full Senate on a 51–17 vote.[131]
On 24 July 2013, a civil court judge in Bogotá declared a male same-sex couple legally married, after a ruling on 11 July 2013 accepting the petition. This was the first same-sex couple married in Colombia.[132][133]
In September 2013, two civil court judges married two same-sex couples.[134] The first marriage was challenged by a conservative group, and it was initially annulled. Nevertheless, in October a High Court (Tribunal Supremo de Bogotá) maintained the validity of that marriage.[135][136]
Denmark[edit]
On 7 June 2012, the Folketing (Danish parliament) approved new laws regarding same-sex civil and religious marriage. These laws permit same-sex couples to get married in the Church of Denmark. The bills received Royal Assent on 12 June and took effect on 15 June 2012.[137] Denmark was previously the first country in the world to legally recognize same-sex couples through registered partnerships in 1989.[138][139]
On 26 May 2015, Greenland, one of Denmark's three constituent countries in the Realm of Denmark, unanimously passed a law legalising same-sex marriage.[140][141] The first same-sex couple to marry in Greenland married on 1 April 2016, the day the law went into effect.[142]
On 17 November 2015, in the Faroe Islands, a same-sex marriage bill entered Parliament.[143] The first reading of the bill was on 24 November 2015.[144] The bill passed the second reading stage by 19 votes to 14 on 26 April 2016[145][146] and was approved at the third reading on 29 April 2016.[147][148] The law requires ratification in the Danish Parliament before going into effect on 1 July 2016.[149][150]
Finland[edit]
Registered partnerships have been legal in Finland since in 2002.[151] In 2010, Minister of Justice Tuija Brax said her Ministry was preparing to amend the Marriage Act to allow same-sex marriage by 2012.[152] On 27 February 2013, the bill was rejected by the Legal Affairs Committee of the Finnish Parliament on a vote of 9–8. A citizens' initiative was launched to put the issue before Parliament of Finland.[153] The initiative gathered the required 50,000 signatures of Finnish citizens in one day and exceeded 107,000 signatures by the time the media reported the figures.[154] The campaign collected 166,000 signatures and the initiative was presented to the Parliament in December 2013.[155] The initiative went to introductory debate on 20 February 2014 and was sent again to the Legal Affairs Committee.[156][157] On 25 June, the bill was rejected by the Legal Affairs Committee on a vote of 10–6 and the third time on 20 November 2014, by 9–8.[158] It faced the first vote in full session on 28 November 2014,[159] which passed the bill 105–92. The bill passed the second and final vote by 101–90 on 12 December 2014,[160] and was signed by the President on 20 February 2015. The law will take effect on 1 March 2017.[161] It was the first time a citizens' initiative has been approved by the Parliament.[151]
France[edit]
Following the election of François Hollande as President of France in May 2012 and the subsequent legislative election in which the Socialist party took a majority of seats in the French National Assembly, the new Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault stated that a same-sex marriage bill had been drafted and would be passed.[162] The government introduced a bill to legalize same-sex marriage, Bill 344, in the National Assembly on 17 November 2012. Article 1 of the bill defining marriage as an agreement between two people was passed on 2 February 2013 in its first reading by a 249–97 vote. On 12 February 2013, the National Assembly approved the entire bill in a 329–229 vote.[163]
On 12 April 2013, the upper house of the French parliament voted to legalise same-sex marriage.[164] On 23 April 2013 the law was approved by the National Assembly in a 331–225 vote.[165] Law No.2013-404 grants same-sex couples living in France, including foreigners provided at least one of the partners has their domicile or residence in France, the legal right to get married. The law also allows the recognition in France of same-sex couples' marriages that occurred abroad before the bill's enactment.[166]
Following the announcement of the French parliament's vote results, those in opposition to the legalisation of same-sex marriage in France participated in public protests. In both Paris and Lyon, violence erupted as protesters clashed with police; the issue has mobilised right-wing forces in the country, including neo-Nazis.[167]
The main right-wing opposition party UMP challenged the law in the Constitutional Council, which had one month to rule on whether the law conformed to the Constitution. The Constitutional Council had previously ruled that the issue of same-sex marriage was one for the legislature to decide [168] and there was only little hope for UMP to overturn the parliament's vote.
On 17 May 2013, the Constitutional Council declared the Bill legal in its entire redaction. President Hollande signed it into law on 18 May 2013.[169]
Iceland[edit]
Same-sex marriage was introduced in Iceland through legislation establishing a gender-neutral definition of marriage introduced by the coalition government of the Social Democratic Alliance and Left-Green Movement. The legislation was passed unanimously by the Icelandic Althing on 11 June 2010, and took effect on 27 June 2010, replacing an earlier system of registered partnerships for same-sex couples.[170][171] Prime Minister Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir and her partner were among the first married same-sex couples in the country.[172]
Ireland[edit]
Ireland held a referendum on 22 May 2015. The referendum proposed to add to the Irish Constitution: "marriage may be contracted in accordance with law by two persons without distinction as to their sex". The proposal was overwhelmingly approved and endorsed by the People with 62% of the vote . On 29 August 2015 the Irish president, Michael D. Higgins signed the result of the May referendum into law[173] which made Ireland the first country in the world to approve same-sex marriage at a nationwide referendum.[174] Same-sex marriage became formally legally recognised in Ireland on 16 November 2015.[175] Prior to this, the Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2010 allowed same sex couples to enter civil partnerships. The Act came into force on the 1st January 2011 and gave same-sex couples rights and responsibilities similar to, but not equal to, those of civil marriage.[176]
Luxembourg[edit]
The Parliament approved the bill to legalise same-sex marriage on 18 June 2014.[177] The law was published in the official gazette on 17 July and took effect 1 January 2015.[178][179][180] On 15 May 2015, Luxembourg became the first country in the EU that has a prime minister who is in a same sex marriage, and the second one in Europe. Prime minister Xavier Bettel married Gauthier Destenay, with whom he had been in a civil partnership since 2010.
Mexico[edit]
Same-sex couples can marry in Mexico City and in the states of Chihuahua, Coahuila, Jalisco, Nayarit, and Quintana Roo. Same-sex marriage will soon be legal in Campeche, Michoacán and Morelos. 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 21 December 2009, the Federal District's Legislative Assembly legalized same-sex marriages and adoption by same-sex couples. The law was enacted eight days later and became effective in early March 2010.[181] On 10 August 2010, the Mexican Supreme Court ruled that while not every state must grant same-sex marriages, they must all recognize those performed where they are legal.[182]
On 28 November 2011, the first two same-sex marriages occurred in Quintana Roo after it was discovered that Quintana Roo's Civil Code did not explicitly prohibit same-sex marriage,[183] but these marriages were later annulled by the governor of Quintana Roo in April 2012.[184] 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.[185]
On 11 February 2014, the Congress of Coahuila approved adoptions by same-sex couples and a bill legalizing same-sex marriages passed on 1 September 2014 making Coahuila the second state to reform its Civil Code to allow same sex marriages. It took effect on 17 September, and the first couple married on 20 September.
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.[186][187]
On 3 June 2015, the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation released a "jurisprudential thesis" which deems the state-laws defining marriage as a union between a man and a woman unconstitutional. The ruling standardized court procedures across Mexico to authorize same-sex marriages. However, the process is still lengthy and more expensive than that for an opposite-sex marriage, as[100] the ruling did not invalidate any state laws, meaning gay couples will be denied the right to wed and will have to turn to the courts for individual injunctions. However, given the nature of the ruling, judges and courts throughout Mexico must approve any application for a same-sex marriage.[188] The official release of the thesis was on 19 June 2015, which took effect on 22 June 2015.[189]
On 25 June 2015, following the Supreme Court's ruling striking down district same-sex marriage bans, a Civil Registrar of Guerrero announced that they had planned a collective same-sex marriage ceremony for 10 July 2015 and indicated that there would have to be a change to the law to allow gender-neutral marriage, passed through the state legislature before the official commencement.[190] The registry announced more details of their plan, advising that only select registration offices in the state would be able to participate in the collective marriage event.[191] The governor instructed civil agencies to approve same-sex marriage licenses. On 10 July 2015, 20 same-sex couples were married by the Governor Rogelio Ortega in Acapulco.[192] On 13 January 2016 The head of the civil registry of Acapulco Guerrero, announce that all marriages that took place in July 2015 by the governor and his wife were void and not legal as same sex marriage is not legal in Guerrero, unless couples get an amparo.[193]
On 17 December 2015, the Congress of Nayarit approved a bill legalizing same-sex marriage.[194] In January 2016, the Mexican Supreme Court declared Jalisco's Civil Code unconstitutional for limiting marriage to opposite-sex couples, effectively legalizing same-sex marriage in the state.[195] On 10 May 2016, the Congress of Campeche passed a same-sex marriage bill.[196] On 18 May 2016, both Michoacán and Morelos passed bills allowing for same-sex marriage to be legal.[197][198]
On 17 May 2016, the president of Mexico, Enrique Peña Nieto, signed an initiative to change the country's constitution, which would legalize same-sex marriage throughout Mexico pending congressional approval.[199]
Netherlands[edit]
The Netherlands was the first country to extend marriage laws to include same-sex couples, following the recommendation of a special commission appointed to investigate the issue in 1995. A same-sex marriage bill passed the House of Representatives and the Senate in 2000, taking effect on 1 April 2001.[200]
In the Dutch Caribbean special municipalities of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba, marriage is open to same-sex couples. A law enabling same-sex couples to marry in these municipalities passed and came into effect on 10 October 2012.[201] The Caribbean countries Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten, forming the remainder of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, do not perform same-sex marriages, but must recognize those performed in the Netherlands proper.
New Zealand[edit]
On 14 May 2012, Labour Party MP Louisa Wall stated that she would introduce a private member's bill, the Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Bill, allowing same-sex couples to marry.[202] The bill was submitted to the members' bill ballot on 30 May 2012.[203] It was drawn from the ballot and passed the first and second readings on 29 August 2012 and 13 March 2013, respectively.[204][205] The final reading passed on 17 April 2013 by 77 votes to 44.[206][207] The bill received Royal Assent from the Governor-General on 19 April and took effect on 19 August 2013.[208][209]
New Zealand marriage law only applies to New Zealand proper and the Ross Dependency in Antarctica. Other New Zealand territories, including Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau, have their own marriage law and do not perform nor recognise same-sex marriage.
Norway[edit]
Same-sex marriage became legal in Norway on 1 January 2009 when a gender neutral marriage bill was enacted after being passed by the Norwegian legislature in June 2008.[210][211] Norway became the first Scandinavian country and the sixth country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage.
Gender neutral marriage replaced Norway's previous system of registered partnerships for same-sex couples. Couples in registered partnerships are able to retain that status or convert their registered partnership to a marriage. No new registered partnerships may be created.
Portugal[edit]
Portugal created de facto unions (união de facto in legal European Portuguese) similar to common-law marriage for cohabiting opposite-sex partners in 1999, and extended these unions to same-sex couples in 2001. However, the 2001 extension did not allow for same-sex adoption, either jointly or of stepchildren.[212]
On 8 January 2010, the parliament approved—126 votes in favor, 97 against and 7 abstentions—same-sex marriage. The Portuguese president promulgated the law on 8 April 2010 and the law was effective on 5 June 2010, making Portugal the eighth country to legalize nationwide same-sex marriage; however, adoption was still denied for same-sex couples.[213]
On 24 February 2012, the parliament rejected two bills allowing same-sex couples to adopt children.[214]
On 17 May 2013, the Portuguese Parliament approved a bill to recognise some adoption rights for same-sex couples in the first reading[215][216][217] A bill granting adoption rights to same-sex parents and carers, as well as in-vitro fertilisation for lesbian relationships, was introduced in Parliament by the current opposition Socialist and Left Block parties on 16 January 2015.[218] On 22 January, Parliament rejected the proposals.[219]
In December 2015, the Portuguese Parliament approved a bill to recognise adoptions rights for same-sex couples.[220][221][222]
South Africa[edit]
Legal recognition of same-sex marriages in South Africa came about as a result of the Constitutional Court's decision in the case of Minister of Home Affairs v Fourie. The court ruled on 1 December 2005 that the existing marriage laws violated the equality clause of the Bill of Rights because they discriminated on the basis of sexual orientation. The court gave Parliament one year to rectify the inequality. The Civil Union Act was passed by the National Assembly on 14 November 2006, by a vote of 230 to 41. It became law on 30 November 2006. South Africa is the fifth country, the first in Africa, and the second outside Europe, to legalize same-sex marriage.
Spain[edit]
Spain was the third country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage, which has been legal since 3 July 2005, and was supported by the majority of the Spanish people.[223][224] In 2004, the nation's newly elected Socialist government, led by President José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, began a campaign for its legalization, including the right of adoption by same-sex couples.[225] After much debate, the law permitting same-sex marriage was passed by the Cortes Generales (Spain's bicameral parliament) on 30 June 2005. King Juan Carlos, who by law has up to 30 days to decide whether to grant Royal Assent to laws, indirectly showed his approval by signing it on 1 July 2005, the same day it reached his desk. The law was published on 2 July 2005.[226] In 2013, Pew Research Center declared Spain the most tolerant country of the world with homosexuality.[227][228] However, the studies did not include the Benelux or the Scandinavian countries.
Sweden[edit]
Same-sex marriage in Sweden has been legal since 1 May 2009, following the adoption of a new, gender-neutral law on marriage by the Swedish parliament on 1 April 2009, making Sweden the seventh country in the world to open marriage to same-sex couples nationwide. Marriage replaced Sweden's registered partnerships for same-sex couples. Existing registered partnerships between same-sex couples remained in force with an option to convert them into marriages.[229][230]
United Kingdom[edit]
.svg)
Since 2005 same-sex couples have been allowed to enter into civil partnerships, a separate union providing the legal consequences of marriage. In 2006 the High Court rejected a legal bid by a British lesbian couple who had married in Canada to have their union recognised as a marriage in the UK rather than a civil partnership. In September 2011, the Coalition government announced its intention to introduce same-sex civil marriage in England and Wales by the next general election in May 2015.[231] However, unlike the Scottish Government's Consultation, the UK Government's Consultation for England and Wales did not include provision for religious ceremonies. In May 2012, three religious groups (Quakers, Liberal Judaism and Unitarians) sent a letter to David Cameron, asking that they be allowed to solemnise same-sex weddings.[232]
In June 2012 the UK Government completed the Consultation to allow civil marriage for same-sex couples in England and Wales.[233] In its response to the Consultation, the Government said that it also intended "...to enable those religious organisations that wish to conduct same-sex marriage ceremonies to do so, on a permissive basis only."[234] In December 2012, the Prime Minister, David Cameron, announced that, whilst he favoured allowing same-sex marriage within a religious context, provision would be made guaranteeing no religious institution would be required to perform such ceremonies.[235] On 5 February 2013, the House of Commons debated the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill, approving it in a 400–175 vote at the second reading.[236] The third reading took place on 21 May 2013, and was approved by 366 votes to 161.[237] On 4 June 2013 the Bill received its second reading in the House of Lords, after a blocking amendment was defeated by 390 votes to 148.[238] On 15 July 2013, the Bill was given a third reading by the House of Lords, meaning that it had been passed, and so it was then returned to Commons for the consideration of Lords' amendments. On 16 July 2013 the Commons accepted all of the Lords' amendments.[239] On 17 July 2013 the bill received Royal Assent becoming the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013.[239] The first same-sex marriages took place on 29 March 2014.[240]
The Scottish Government conducted a three-month-long consultation which ended on 9 December 2011 and the analysis was published in July 2012.[241] Unlike the consultation held in England and Wales, Scotland considered both civil and religious same-sex marriage. Whilst the Scottish Government is in favour of same-sex marriage, it stated that no religious body would be forced to hold such ceremonies once legislation is enacted.[242] The Scottish Consultation received more than 77,000 responses, and on 27 June 2013 the Government published the Bill.[243] In order to preserve the freedom of both religious groups and individual clergy, the Scottish Government believed it necessary for changes to be made to the Equality Act 2010 and communicated with the UK Government on this matter; thus, the first same-sex marriages in Scotland did not occur until this had taken place.[244] Although the Scottish bill concerning same-sex marriage had been published, the 'Australian' reported that LGBT rights campaigners, celebrating outside the UK parliament on 15 July 2013 for the clearance of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill in the House of Lords, declared that they would continue the campaign to extend same-sex marriage rights to both Scotland and Northern Ireland,[245] rather than solely Northern Ireland, where there are no plans to introduce such legislation. On 4 February 2014 the Scottish Parliament overwhelmingly passed legislation legalising same-sex marriage in that country.[246] The bill received Royal Assent as the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Act 2014 on 12 March 2014[247][248] The law took effect on 16 December 2014, with the first same-sex weddings occurring for those converting their civil partnerships into marriage.[249][250] Malcolm Brown and Joe Schofield from Tullibody, Central Lowlands, were scheduled to be the first to be declared husband and husband just after midnight on 31 December, following a Humanist ceremony, but they were superseded by couples marrying on 16 December. Nonetheless, Brown and Schofield were married on Hogmanay.[251]
The Northern Ireland Executive has stated that it does not intend to introduce legislation allowing for same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland. Same-sex marriages from other jurisdictions are treated as civil partnerships.
United States[edit]
The movement to obtain civil marriage rights and benefits for same-sex couples in the United States began in the 1970s.[252] and in 1971 the United States Supreme Court dismissed a case, Baker v. Nelson claiming such right on appeal, establishing it as a precedent as it came from mandatory appellate review. The issue did not become prominent in U.S. politics until the 1993 Hawaii Supreme Court decision in Baehr v. Lewin that declared that state's prohibition to be unconstitutional.[253] During the 21st century, public support for same-sex marriage has grown considerably,[254][255] and national polls conducted since 2011 show that a majority of Americans support legalizing it. On 17 May 2004, Massachusetts became the first U.S. state and the sixth jurisdiction in the world to legalize same-sex marriage following the Supreme Judicial Court's decision in Goodridge v. Department of Public Health six months earlier.[256]
Before the legalization of same-sex marriage in any U.S. jurisdiction, the U.S. Congress passed the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in 1996, attempting to define marriage for the first time solely as a union between a man and a woman for all federal purposes, and allowing states to refuse to recognize such marriages created in other states.[257]
President Barack Obama announced on 9 May 2012, that "I think same-sex couples should be able to get married".[258][259][260] Obama also supported the full repeal of DOMA,[261] and called the state constitutional bans on same-sex marriage in California (2008)[262] and North Carolina (2012) unnecessary.[263] In 2011, the Obama Administration concluded that DOMA was unconstitutional and directed the U.S. Justice Department (DOJ) to stop defending the law in court.[264] Subsequently, Eric Cantor, Republican majority leader in the U.S. House of Representatives, announced that the House would defend DOMA. The law firm hired to represent the House soon withdrew from defending the law, requiring the House to retain replacement counsel.[265] In the past two decades, public support for same-sex marriage has steadily increased,[54] and polls indicate that more than half of Americans support same-sex marriage.[54][266][267] Voters in Maine, Maryland and Washington approved same-sex marriage by referendum on 6 November 2012.[268]
On 26 June 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in United States v. Windsor Section 3 of DOMA was unconstitutional for allowing the federal government of the United States to deny federal recognition of same-sex marriage licenses, if it is recognized or performed in a state that allows same-sex marriage.[269] Two years later on the same day, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Obergefell v. Hodges that state level bans on same-sex marriage to be unconstitutional as well, legalizing same-sex marriage throughout the entire U.S. proper and all incorporated territories.[270]
On 6 October 2014, the U.S. Supreme Court denied review of five writ petitions from decisions of appellate courts finding constitutional right to same-sex marriage.[271] The immediate effect was to increase to 25 the number of states allowing same-sex marriage.[272]
On 26 June 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5–4 in Obergefell v. Hodges that states cannot prohibit the issuing of marriage licenses to same-sex couples, or to deny recognition of lawfully performed out-of-state marriage licenses to same-sex couples. This ruling invalidated same-sex marriage bans in any U.S. State and certain territories.[273][274] Prior to this ruling, same-sex marriages were legally performed in 37 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, Guam as well as some Native American tribes.[88][89][275]
Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg officiated at a same-sex wedding during the 2013 Labor Day weekend in what is believed to be a first for a member of the Supreme Court.[276][277]
A poll conducted in 2014 showed a record high of 59% of the American people supporting legal recognition for same-sex marriage.[278]
Uruguay[edit]
Uruguay's Chamber of Deputies passed a bill on 12 December 2012, to extend marriage rights to same-sex couples.[279] The Senate passed the bill on 2 April 2013, but with minor amendments. On 10 April 2013, the Chamber of Deputies passed the amended bill by a two-thirds majority (71–22). The president promulgated the law on 3 May 2013 and it took effect on 5 August.[280]
National debates[edit]
Andorra[edit]
On 31 March 2014, the Social Democratic Party introduced the bill to legalize same-sex marriage.[281][282] On 29 May 2014, the bill was rejected by the parliament.[283][284]
Australia[edit]
Australian federal law currently bans recognition of same-sex marriages. Civil unions/partnerships are available in the Australian Capital Territory and Queensland, while domestic registered partnerships are available in New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia. Western Australia and the Northern Territory both only offer de facto unions for same-sex couples, and committed same-sex couples in all states and territories are recognised as de facto unions (which provide most of the benefits and recognition of marriage) under federal law.
On 22 October 2013, a bill was passed by the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) legalising same-sex marriage in the ACT. However, the High Court found that the legal change was never valid and an official reversal of the bill was announced on 12 December 2013. The High Court established that such a change to ACT legislation could not operate concurrently with the federal Marriage Act.[285]
There have been many attempts to legalise same-sex marriage in the federal parliament. Currently, the Coalition Government has pledged to hold a plebiscite on the issue in 2016, if the government is re-elected at that year's election. The opposition Labor Party has promised to introduce a Marriage Equality Bill to the parliament within 100 days of being elected to office. The party currently allows its parliamentary members a conscience vote on same-sex marriage legislation.
Austria[edit]
On 20 November 2013, the opposition party The Greens introduced a bill in Parliament that would legalise same-sex marriage.[286] It was sent to the Judiciary Committee on 17 December 2013.[287] The bill was supposed to be debated in Autumn 2014,[288] but was delayed by the ruling coalition.
Bermuda[edit]
The national debate on same-sex marriage in Bermuda started around the introduction of sexual orientation to the British Overseas Dependent Territory's (BODT) Human Rights Act of 1981. This happened in 2013, prompted by calls from an advocacy group call Two Words and a Comma.[289] This addition started a movement in support of marriage equality in the BODT. In recent months a group called Preserve Marriage was created with the position "that marriage in Bermuda should remain defined and upheld as a special union ordained by God between a man and a woman." [290] This group has been able to lobby the One Bermuda Alliance (OBA) into tabling changes to the Matrimonial Act to "strengthen" the notion that marriage is between one man and one woman; a change that the Bermuda Human Rights Commission (BHRC) says will "undermine the integrity of the Human Rights Act.”[291] Also, the OBA has called for a non-binding referendum to get national consensus on the question of marriage equality.[292] The response from the BHRC was, "We specifically reject the notion that the opinion of the majority should impinge on the right of equal treatment for minorities. We are also disappointed that the decision to hold a referendum will serve to lengthen the timeline by which the Government can fulfill its obligations to its citizens who deserve equality under the law."[293] A non-binding referendum on both same-sex marriage and same-sex civil unions took place on 23 June 2016, and while a majority voted against both same-sex marriage and same-sex civil unions, there was not a high enough voter turn out for the referendum to be valid.[294]
Chile[edit]
Michelle Bachelet, the president of Chile, who was elected to a second term in March 2014, has promised to work for the implementation of same-sex marriage and has a majority in both houses of Congress. Previously, she said, "Marriage equality, I believe we have to make it happen."[295] Polling shows majority support for same-sex marriage among Chileans.[296]
On 10 December 2014, a group of senators, from various parties, joined LGBT rights group MOVILH (Homosexual Movement of Integration and Liberation) in presenting a bill to allow same-sex marriage and adoption to Congress. MOVILH has been in talks with the Chilean government to seek an amiable solution to the pending marriage lawsuit brought against the state before the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. MOVILH has suggested that they would drop the case if Bachelet's Congress keeps their promise to legislate same-sex marriage.[297]
Meanwhile, on 28 January 2015, the National Congress approved a bill recognizing civil unions for same-sex and opposite-sex couples offering some of the rights of marriage. Bachelet signed the bill on 14 April, and it came into effect on 22 October.[298][299]
A poll carried out during September 2015 by the pollster Cadem Plaza Pública found that 60% of Chileans support same-sex marriage, whilst 36% are against it.[300]
China[edit]
The Marriage Law of the People's Republic of China explicitly defines marriage as the union between one man and one woman. No other form of civil union is recognized. The attitude of the Chinese government towards homosexuality is believed to be "three nos": "No approval; no disapproval; no promotion." The Ministry of Health officially removed homosexuality from its list of mental illnesses in 2001.
Li Yinhe, a sociologist and sexologist well known in the Chinese gay community, has tried to legalize same-sex marriage several times, including during the National People's Congress in 2000 and 2004 (Legalization for Same-Sex Marriage 《中国同性婚姻合法化》 in 2000 and the Same-Sex Marriage Bill 《中国同性婚姻提案》 in 2004). According to Chinese law, 35 delegates' signatures are needed to make an issue a bill to be discussed in the Congress. Her efforts failed due to lack of support from the delegates. CPPCC National Committee spokesman Wu Jianmin when asked about Li Yinhe's proposal, said that same-sex marriage was still too "ahead of its time" for China. He argued that same-sex marriage was not recognized even in many Western countries, which are considered much more liberal in social issues than China.[301] This statement is understood as an implication that the government may consider recognition of same-sex marriage in the long run, but not in the near future.
Costa Rica[edit]
On 19 March 2015, a bill to legalize same-sex marriage was introduced to the Legislative Assembly by deputy Ligia Elena Fallas Rodríguez from the Broad Front.[302] On 10 December 2015, the organization Front for Equal Rights (Frente Por los Derechos Igualitarios) and a group of deputies presented another bill.[303][304][305]
Germany[edit]
Since 1 August 2001, Germany has registered partnerships (Eingetragene Lebenspartnerschaft) for same-sex couples, providing most but not all rights 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 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.
India[edit]
Same-sex marriage is not explicitly prohibited under Indian law and at least one couple has had their marriage recognised by the courts.[306] In April 2014 Medha Patkar of the Aam Aadmi Party stated that her party supports the legalisation of same-sex marriage.[307]
Israel[edit]
Israel's High Court of Justice ruled to recognize foreign same-sex marriages for the limited purpose of registration with the Administration of Border Crossings, Population and Immigration, however this is merely for statistical purposes and grants no state-level rights; Israel does not recognize civil marriages performed under its own jurisdiction. A bill was raised in the Knesset (parliament) to rescind the High Court's ruling, but the Knesset has not advanced the bill since December 2006. A bill to legalize same-sex and interfaith civil marriages was defeated in the Knesset, 39–11, on 16 May 2012.[308]
Italy[edit]
On 9 April 2014, the Civil Court of Grosseto ordered that a same-sex marriage contracted abroad be recognised in the municipality.[309]
The cities of Bologna, Naples and Fano began recognizing same-sex marriages from other jurisdictions in July 2014,[310][311] followed by Empoli, Pordenone, Udine and Trieste in September,[312][313][314] and Florence, Piombino, Milan and Rome in October,[315][316] and by Bagheria in November.[317] Other cities that are considering similar laws include Cagliari, Livorno, Syracuse, Pompei and Treviso.[318]
A January 2013 Datamonitor poll found that 54.1% of respondents were in favour of same-sex marriage.[319] A May 2013 Ipsos poll found that 42% of Italians supported allowing same-sex couples to marry and adopt children.[320] An October 2014 Demos poll found that 55% of respondents were in favour of same sex marriage, with 42% against.[321]
On 25 February 2016 the Italian Senate passed a bill allowing civil unions with 173 senators in favour and 73 against. That same bill was approved by the Chamber of Deputies on 11 May 2016 with 372 deputies in favour and 51 against.[322] The President of Italy signed the bill into law on 22 May, 2016 and the law went into effect on 5 June, 2016.
Japan[edit]
Same-sex marriage is not legal in 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."[323] Article 24 was created to establish the equality of both sexes in marriage, in opposition to the pre-war legal situation whereby the husband/father was legally defined as the head of household and marriage require permission from the male head of the family. The wording, however, inadvertently defined marriage as the union of man and woman.
51% of the Japanese population supports same-sex marriage, according to the latest poll carried out in 2015.[324]
Malta[edit]
Malta has recognized same-sex unions since April 2014, following the enactment of the Civil Unions Bill, first introduced in September 2013. It established civil unions with same rights, responsibilities, and obligations as marriage, including the right of joint adoption and recognition of foreign same sex marriage.[325] Parliament gave final approval to the legislation on 14 April 2014 by a vote of 37 in favour and 30 abstentions. President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca signed it into law on 16 April. The first foreign same sex marriage was registered on 29 April 2014 and the first civil union was performed on 14 June 2014.[325]
Nepal[edit]
In November 2008, Nepal's highest court issued final judgment on matters related to LGBT rights, which included permitting same-sex couples to marry. Same-sex marriage and protection for sexual minorities were to be included in the new Nepalese constitution required to be completed by 31 May 2012.[326][327] However, the legislature was unable to agree on the constitution before the deadline and was dissolved after the Supreme Court ruled that the term could not be extended.[328]
Poland[edit]
In Poland, the national debate regarding recognition of same-sex marriage is conducted along the debate about civil partnerships.[329][330] In a 2013 opinion poll conducted by CBOS, 72% of Poles were against same-sex marriage.[331]
Slovenia[edit]
Slovenia recognises registered partnerships for same-sex couples.
In December 2014, the eco-socialist United Left party introduced a bill amending expansion of the definition of marriage in 1976 Marriage and Family Relations Act to include same-sex couples. In January 2015, the government expressed no opposition to the bill. In February 2015, the bill was passed with 11 votes to 2. In March, the Assembly passed the bill in a 51–28 vote. On 10 March 2015, the National Council rejected a motion to require the Assembly to vote on the bill again, in a 14–23 vote. The opponents of the bill launched a petition for a referendum and managed to collect 40,000 signatures. Then the parliament voted to block the referendum with a clarification that it would be against the Slovenian constitution to vote about matters concerning human rights. Finally the constitutional court ruled against the banning of the referendum (5–4) and the referendum was to be held on 20 December 2015.
In the referendum, 63.4% of the voters voted against the law, rendering the parliament's same-sex marriage act invalid.[332]
Switzerland[edit]
A same-sex marriage bill is pending[333] in Parliament after the Green Liberal Party of Switzerland, in December 2013, opposed a Christian Democratic People's Party of Switzerland's initiative banning same-sex marriage. The Committee for Legal Affairs of the National Council approved this parliamentary initiative by 12:1 and 1 abstention on 20 February 2015.[334] It now must be examined by the Upper house.
In a poll in June 2013 for ifop, 63% approved same-sex marriage.[335] After the National Council's Committee of Law Affairs' decision to approve same-sex marriage, two opinion polls released on 22 February 2015 showed a support of 54% (Léger Marketing for Blick[336]) and 71% (GfS Zürich for SonntagsZeitung[337]) allowing same-sex couples to marry and adopt children.
In March 2015, the Swiss Federal Council released a Governmental report about marriage and new rights for families. It opens the possibility to introduce a registered partnership for straight couples as well as same-sex marriage for gay and lesbian couples.[338] The Swiss President Simonetta Sommaruga in charge of the Federal Department of Justice and Police also stated she hoped personally that gay and lesbian couples would soon be allowed to marry.[339]
The Christian Democratic People's Party of Switzerland (CVP/PDC) started in 2011 with gathering signatures for a popular initiative entitled "For the couple and the family - No to the penalty of marriage". This initiative would change article 14 of the Swiss Federal Constitution and aimed to put equal fiscal rights and equal social security benefits between married couples and unmarried cohabiting couples. However, the text aimed to introduce as well in the Constitution for the first time ever the definition of marriage, which would be the sole "union between a man and a woman".[340] On 19 June 2015, the parliament recommending voters to reject the initiative.[341] The Federal Council also recommended rejecting the initiative.[342][343] The Swiss people voted on the Christian Democrats' proposal in a referendum on 28 February 2016[344] and rejected it by 50.8% of the votes.[345]
Taiwan[edit]
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.[346] Taiwan would become the first country in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage if the Civil Code is amended.
Results a of a new poll, carried out between August and October 2015, revealed that 71% of the Taiwanese population support same-sex marriage.[347]
Tsai Ing-wen, the president of Taiwan since May 2016, announced her support of same-sex marriage in November 2015.[348]
Thailand[edit]
A same-sex-marriage bill before the parliament has bipartisan support, but as of April 2014 has been stalled due to the political crisis in the country.[349] In the second half of 2014, reports emerged that a draft bill called the Civil Partnership Act will be submitted to the junta-appointed Thai Parliament.[350]
Turkey[edit]
In the process of rewriting the Turkish constitution, the opposition party BDP called for the liberalization of marriage policies to include same-sex marriage. The largest opposition party in the Turkish parliament, CHP, supported the idea. The largest party in the parliament, the AKP, opposes same-sex marriage, although Premier Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the leader of the AKP, supported full equal rights for LGBT citizens in 2002, the year he launched his party. In response to a request from BDP, a parliamentary discussion of same-sex marriage is anticipated when all political parties gather in committees to establish a new constitution.[351][352] In 2013, a poll of Turkish attitudes towards sexuality, 3.6% of Turks supported same-sex marriages.[353] In 2015, research revealed that 80% of the Turkish population is against same-sex marriage.[354]
Vietnam[edit]
In Vietnam, currently only a marriage between a man and a woman is recognized. Vietnam's Ministry of Justice began seeking advice on legalizing same-sex marriage from other governmental and non-governmental organizations in April and May 2012, and planned to further discuss the issue at the National Assembly in Spring 2013.[355] However, in February 2013, the Ministry of Justice requested that the National Assembly avoid action until 2014.[356] At a hearing to discuss marriage law reforms in April 2013, deputy minister of health Nguyen Viet Tien proposed that same-sex marriage be made legal immediately.[357]
The Vietnamese government abolished an administrative fine imposed on same-sex weddings in 2013.[358] The policy will be enacted on 11 November 2013. The 100,000–500,000 VND ($24USD) fine will be abolished. Although same-sex marriages are not permitted in Vietnam, the policy will decriminalize the relationship, habitual privileges such as household registry, property, child raising, and co-habitual partnerships are recognized.[359]
In June 2013, the National Assembly began formal debate on a proposal to establish legal recognition for same-sex marriage.[360] On 24 September 2013, the Government issued the decree abolishing the fines on same-sex marriages. The decree took effect on 11 November 2013.[361][362][363] On 27 May 2014, the National Assembly's Committee for Social Affairs removed the provision giving legal status and some rights to cohabiting same-sex couples from the government's bill to amend the Law on Marriage and Family.[364][365] The bill was approved by the National Assembly on 19 June 2014.[366][367]
On 1 January 2015, the 2014 Law on Marriage and Family officially went into effect. It states that while Vietnam allows gay weddings, it will not offer legal recognition or protection to unions between people of the same sex.[368]
International organizations[edit]
The terms of employment of the staff of international organizations (not commercial) in most cases are not governed by the laws of the country where their offices are located. Agreements with the host country safeguard these organizations' impartiality.
Despite their relative independence, few organizations recognize same-sex partnerships without condition. The agencies of the United Nations recognize same-sex marriages if and only if the country of citizenship of the employees in question recognizes the marriage.[369] In some cases, these organizations do offer a limited selection of the benefits normally provided to mixed-sex married couples to de facto partners or domestic partners of their staff, but even individuals who have entered into a mixed-sex civil union in their home country are not guaranteed full recognition of this union in all organizations. However, the World Bank does recognize domestic partners.[370]
Non-sexual same-sex marriage[edit]
Several traditional societies in Africa have traditionally allowed non-sexual marriage between two women.[citation needed] These arrangements usually involve one woman taking the role of a man and marrying another woman to secure her inheritance, and are not seen as homosexual.
Kenya[edit]
Female same-sex marriage is practiced among the Gikuyu, Nandi, Kamba, Kipsigis, and to a lesser extent neighboring peoples. Approximately 5–10% of women are in such marriages. However, this is not seen as homosexual, but is instead a way for families without sons to keep their inheritance within the family.[371] The laws criminalizing homosexuality are generally specific to men, though in 2010 the prime minister called for women to be arrested as well.
Nigeria[edit]
In Nigeria, homosexual activity between men, but not between women, is illegal. In 2006, Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo introduced legislation that prohibits same-sex marriages and criminalizes anyone who "performs, witnesses, aids or abets" such ceremonies.[372] Among the Igbo people and probably other peoples in the south of the country, there are circumstances where a marriage between women is considered appropriate, such as when a woman has no child and her husband dies, and she takes a wife to perpetuate her inheritance and family lineage.[373]
Other legally recognized same-sex unions[edit]
Civil union, civil partnership, domestic partnership, registered partnership, unregistered partnership, and unregistered cohabitation statuses offer varying legal benefits of marriage. As of June 2016, countries that have an alternative form of legal recognition other than marriage on a national level are: Andorra, Australia, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Estonia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Japan (various cities), Liechtenstein, Mexico (Michoacán), San Marino, Slovenia, Switzerland, Taiwan (all special municipalities and some counties and provincial cities) and the United Kingdom (Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man, Jersey and Gibraltar).[375][376] Malta has established civil unions with the same rights and responsibilities as marriage, differing only in name.[377][378] Additionally, thirteen countries which have legalized same-sex marriage still have an alternative form of legal recognition for same-sex couples: Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Colombia, Finland, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, the United Kingdom and Uruguay.[379][380][381][382]
They are also available in parts of the United States (California, Hawaii, Illinois, New Jersey, Nevada, Oregon and Wisconsin).[383][384] In some countries with these legal recognitions, the actual benefits are minimal. Many people consider civil unions, even those that grant equal rights, inadequate because they create a separate status, and believe they should be replaced by gender-neutral marriage.[385]
Religious views[edit]
The legalization of same-sex marriage is characterized by some religious people as "redefining marriage".[23][24][386]
The world's largest religions vary widely in their views on same-sex marriage. For example, among larger Christian denominations the Roman Catholic Church's official position is to oppose same-sex marriage,[387] as does the Orthodox Church, some Protestant churches, a majority of Muslims,[388] and Orthodox Jews. Buddhism is considered to be ambivalent on the subject as a whole.[389] In addition the Quranist temple, though tolerant of homosexuals, opposes the legalization of same-sex marriage.[citation needed]. Many British Muslim imams and Muslim leaders oppose gay marriage.[390]
On the other hand, many faith communities around the world support allowing those of the same sex to marry or conduct same-sex marriage ceremonies; for example: the Church of Sweden,[391] the Church of Denmark,[392] the Church of Norway,[393] the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the Metropolitan Community Church, the United Church of Canada,[394] the United Church of Christ,[395] the United Protestant Church of France, the United Protestant Church in Belgium, the Protestant Church in the Netherlands, the Waldensian Evangelical Church,[396] the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.),[397] the Remonstrants,[398] the Anglican Church of Canada, the Episcopal Church,[399] the Global Alliance of Affirming Apostolic Pentecostals, the Affirming Pentecostal Church International, Lutheran, Reformed and United churches in the Evangelical Church in Germany, the Alliance of Baptists,[400] the First Baptist Church in Memphis,[401] Reform Judaism, the American branches of Conservative Judaism,[402] Reconstructionist Judaism and Humanistic Judaism, Unitarian Universalism,[403] the Mennonite Church in the Netherlands, the Old Catholic Church in Sweden and Denmark, the Old Catholic Church, Province of the United States,[404] the Eucharistic Catholic Church,[405] the Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa, the Quakers, the Swedenborgian Church of North America, Jōdo Shinshū,[406][407] Soka Gakkai,[408] Native American religions with a two-spirit tradition, Neo-Druidism, Wicca, LaVeyan Satanism[409] and Pastafarianism.[410]
Issues[edit]
Parenting[edit]
Scientific literature indicates that parents' financial, psychological and physical well-being is enhanced by marriage and that children benefit from being raised by two parents within a legally recognized union (either a mixed-sex or same-sex union). As a result, professional scientific associations have argued for same-sex marriage to be legally recognized as it will be beneficial to the children of same-sex parents or carers.[11][12][13][411][412][413]
Scientific research has been generally consistent in showing that lesbian and gay parents are as fit and capable as heterosexual parents, and their children are as psychologically healthy and well-adjusted as children reared by heterosexual parents.[12][413][414][415] According to scientific literature reviews, there is no evidence to the contrary.[49][416][417][418]
Adoption[edit]
All states that allow same-sex marriage also allow the joint adoption of children by people of the same sex, with the exceptions of Chihuahua, Guerrero and Quintana Roo in Mexico. In Portugal it wasn't allowed between 2010 and 2015, but then it was passed by parliament to change the law and permit it. In addition, Andorra, Austria, Israel and Malta as well as several subnational jurisdictions which do not recognize same-sex marriage nonetheless permit joint adoption by unmarried same-sex couples: Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia in Australia as well as Bermuda, Gibraltar, the Isle of Man and Jersey in the United Kingdom. Some additional states allow step-child adoption by those who are in a same-sex relationship but are unmarried: Croatia, Germany, Estonia and Slovenia.
More than 16,000 same-sex couples are raising an estimated 22,000 adopted children in the United States.[419]
Same-sex couples are raising 4% of all adopted children in the United States.[420]
Surrogacy and IVF treatment[edit]
A gay or bisexual man has the option of surrogacy, the process in which a woman bears a child for another person through artificial insemination or carries another woman's surgically implanted fertilized egg to birth. A lesbian or bisexual woman has the option of artificial insemination.[421][422]
Transgender and intersex people[edit]
When sex is defined legally, it may be defined by any one of several criteria: the XY sex-determination system, the type of gonads, the type of external sexual features, or the person's social identification. Consequently, both transgender and intersex individuals may be legally categorized into confusing gray areas, and could be prohibited from marrying partners of the "opposite" sex or permitted to marry partners of the "same" sex due to legal distinctions. This could result in long-term marriages, as well as recent same-sex marriages, being overturned.
The problems of defining gender by the existence/non-existence of gonads or certain sexual features is complicated by the existence of surgical methods to alter these features. Estimates run as high as one percent of live births exhibiting some degree of sexual ambiguity,[423][424] and between 0.1% and 0.2% of live births being ambiguous enough to become the subject of specialist medical attention, including sometimes involuntary surgery to address their sexual ambiguity.[425]
In any legal jurisdiction where marriages are defined without distinction of a requirement of a male and female, these complications do not occur. In addition, some legal jurisdictions recognize a legal and official change of gender, which would allow a transgender male or female to be legally married in accordance with an adopted gender identity.[426]
In the United Kingdom, the Gender Recognition Act 2004 allows a person who has lived in their chosen gender for at least two years to receive a gender recognition certificate officially recognizing their new gender. Because in the United Kingdom marriages were until recently only for mixed-sex couples and civil partnerships are only for same-sex couples, a person must dissolve his/her civil partnership before obtaining a gender recognition certificate, and the same was formerly true for marriages in England and Wales, and still is in other territories. Such people are then free to enter or re-enter civil partnerships or marriages in accordance with their newly recognized gender identity. In Austria, a similar provision requiring transsexual people to divorce before having their legal sex marker corrected was found to be unconstitutional in 2006.[427]
In Quebec prior to the legalization of same-sex marriage, only unmarried people could apply for legal change of gender. With the advent of same-sex marriage, this restriction was dropped. A similar provision including sterilization also existed in Sweden, but was phased out in 2013.
In the United States, transgender and intersex marriages typically run into similar complications. As definitions and enforcement of marriage are defined by the states, these complications vary from state to state,[428] as some of them prohibit legal changes of gender.
Divorce[edit]
In the United States of America, before the case of Obergefell v. Hodges couples in same-sex marriages could only obtain a divorce in jurisdictions that recognized same-sex marriages, with some exceptions.[429]
Controversies[edit]
While few societies have recognized same-sex unions as marriages, the historical and anthropological record reveals a large range of attitudes towards same-sex unions ranging from praise, through full acceptance and integration, sympathetic toleration, indifference, prohibition and discrimination, to persecution and physical annihilation. Opponents of same-sex marriages have argued that recognition of same-sex marriages would erode religious freedoms,[430] and that same-sex marriage, while doing good for the couples that participate in them and the children they are raising,[424] undermines a right of children to be raised by their biological mother and father.[431] Some supporters of same-sex marriages take the view that the government should have no role in regulating personal relationships,[432] while others argue that same-sex marriages would provide social benefits to same-sex couples.[433] The debate regarding same-sex marriages includes debate based upon social viewpoints as well as debate based on majority rules, religious convictions, economic arguments, health-related concerns, and a variety of other issues.
Freedom of religion[edit]
Arguments on both sides of the same-sex marriage debate are still often made on religious grounds and/or formulated in terms of religious doctrine.[434] One source of controversy is whether same-sex marriage affects freedom of religion.[430][435][436][437][438] Some religious organizations may refuse to provide employment, public accommodations, adoption services, and other benefits to same-sex couples.[439] Some governments include freedom of religion provisions in marriage equality laws.[440]
Judicial and legislative[edit]
There are differing positions regarding the manner in which same-sex marriage has been introduced into democratic jurisdictions. A "majority rules" position holds that same-sex marriage is valid, or void and illegal, based upon whether it has been accepted by a simple majority of voters or of their elected representatives.[441] In contrast, a civil rights view holds that the institution can be validly created through the ruling of an impartial judiciary carefully examining the questioning and finding that the right to marry regardless of the gender of the participants is guaranteed under the civil rights laws of the jurisdiction.[442]
See also[edit]
- Documentaries and literature
- A Union in Wait
- Freedom to Marry
- Marriage Equality USA
- Marriage Under Fire
- Pursuit of Equality
- The Case Against 8
- The Gay Marriage Thing
- Boy Meets Boy (musical)
- History
- Adelphopoiesis ("brother-making")
- The Leveret Spirit
Notes[edit]
- ^ a b c Including Denmark proper and Greenland. Same-sex marriage is currently not lawful in the Faroe Islands.
- ^ a b Chihuahua, Coahuila, Jalisco, Nayarit, Quintana Roo, Sonora and Mexico City.
- ^ a b c The Netherlands proper.
- ^ a b c New Zealand proper.
- ^ a b c England and Wales, Scotland, the Pitcairn Islands and Ascension
- ^ a b c 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands and some tribal jurisdictions.
References[edit]
- ^ "Poll shows growing support for same-sex marriage". Sydney Morning Herald. 15 July 2014. Retrieved 22 May 2015.
- ^ "For several years a majority of Australians have supported marriage equality". Australian Marriage Equality Incorporated. Retrieved 22 May 2015.
- ^ See
- Newport, Frank. "For First Time, Majority of Americans Favor Legal Gay Marriage". Gallup. Retrieved 25 September 2012.
- "Support for Same‐Sex Marriage in Latin America" (PDF). Vanderbilt University. Retrieved 25 September 2012.
- ^ Gross, Aeyal (30 June 2015). "Why Gay Marriage Isn't Coming to Israel Any Time Soon". Haaretz Online. Retrieved 29 December 2015.
- ^ Taylor, Pamela K. (31 July 2009). "Marriage: Both Civil and Religious". The Washington Post. Retrieved 15 July 2014.
- ^ Smith, Susan K. (30 July 2009). "Marriage a Civil Right, not Sacred Rite". The Washington Post. Retrieved 20 September 2012.
- ^ "Decision in Perry v. Schwarzenegger" (PDF). Retrieved 6 August 2010.
- ^ Handbook of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Administration and Policy — Page 13, Wallace Swan – 2004
- ^ a b American Psychological Association (2004). "Resolution on Sexual Orientation and Marriage" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 May 2011. Retrieved 10 November 2010.
- ^ American Sociological Association. "American Sociological Association Member Resolution on Proposed U.S. Constitutional Amendment Regarding Marriage". Archived from the original on 12 August 2007. Retrieved 10 November 2010.
- ^ a b "Brief of the American Psychological Association, The California Psychological Association, the American Psychiatric Association, and the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy as amici curiae in support of plaintiff-appellees – Appeal from United States District Court for the Northern District of California Civil Case No. 09-CV-2292 VRW (Honorable Vaughn R. Walker)" (PDF). Retrieved 5 November 2010.
- ^ a b c d e "Marriage of Same-Sex Couples – 2006 Position Statement" (PDF). Canadian Psychological Association. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 July 2012. Retrieved 28 September 2012.
- ^ a b Pawelski JG, Perrin EC, Foy JM, et al. (July 2006). "The effects of marriage, civil union, and domestic partnership laws on the health and well-being of children". Pediatrics 118 (1): 349–64. doi:10.1542/peds.2006-1279. PMID 16818585. available online: http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/118/1/349
- ^ "Brief of Amici Curiae American Anthropological Association et al., supporting plaintiffs-appellees and urging affirmance – Appeal from United States District Court for the Northern District of California Civil Case No. 09-CV-2292 VRW (Honorable Vaughn R. Walker)" (PDF). Retrieved 5 November 2010.
- ^ a b American Anthropological Association (2004). "Statement on Marriage and the Family". Retrieved 2015-09-18.
- ^ "Marriage Equality". Garden State Equality. Retrieved 24 July 2012.
- ^ "Marriage 101". Freedom to Marry. Retrieved 28 September 2012.
- ^ Pratt, Patricia (29 May 2012). "Albany area real estate and the Marriage Equality Act". Albany Examiner. Retrieved 25 December 2012.
On July 24, 2011 the Marriage Equality Act became a law in New York State forever changing the state's legal view of what a married couple is.
- ^ "Vote on Illinois marriage equality bill coming in January: sponsors". Chicago Phoenix. 13 December 2012. Retrieved 23 December 2012.
- ^ "Commission endorses marriage and adoption equality". Human Right Commission New Zealand. n.d. Archived from the original on 2 December 2012. Retrieved 23 December 2012.
- ^ Mulholland, Helene (27 September 2012). "Ed Miliband calls for gay marriage equality". The Guardian (London). Retrieved 23 December 2012.
- ^ Ring, Trudy (20 December 2012). "Newt Gingrich: Marriage Equality Inevitable, OK". The Advocate (Los Angeles).
He [Newt Gingrich] noted to HuffPo that he not only has a lesbian half-sister, LGBT rights activist Candace Gingrich, but has gay friends who've gotten married in Iowa, where their unions are legal. Public opinion has shifted in favor of marriage equality, he said, and the Republican Party could end up on the wrong side of history if it continues to go against the tide.
- ^ a b "State lacks authority to redefine marriage, says bishop". Catholic News Agency. CNA. 7 June 2013. Retrieved 20 December 2013.
- ^ a b Will Rabbe (18 July 2013). "Redefining marriage, one dictionary at a time". MSNBC. Retrieved 20 December 2013.
- ^ "Ten Arguments From Social Science Against Same-Sex Marriage". FRC.org. Family Research Council. Archived from the original on 28 September 2015. Retrieved 4 January 2016.
...it is unlikely that homosexual marriage would domesticate men in the way that heterosexual marriage does.
- ^ a b Wemple, Erik (25 February 2008). "Washington Times Scare Quotes Are History". Washington City Paper. Retrieved 28 July 2008.
- ^ Harper, Robyn (6 June 2012). "When I Get Married, Will It Be a 'Gay Marriage'?". Huffington Post. Retrieved 28 September 2012.
- ^ Harper, Robyn (30 June 2012). "My Marriage Won't Be a 'Gay Marriage'". Yahoo!. Archived from the original on 28 September 2012. Retrieved 28 September 2012.
- ^ Fedorak, Shirley A. (2008). Anthropology matters!. [Toronto], Ont.: University of Toronto Press. pp. Ch. 11; p. 174. ISBN 1442601086.
- ^ a b Gough, Kathleen E. (Jan–Jun 1959). "The Nayars and the Definition of Marriage". The Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland 89 (1): 23–34. doi:10.2307/2844434. Retrieved 28 September 2012.
- ^ Murray, Stephen O.; Roscoe, Will (2001). Boy-wives and female husbands : studies of African homosexualities (1st pbk. ed.). New York: St. Martin's. ISBN 0312238290.
- ^ Njambi, Wairimu; O'Brien, William (Spring 2001). "Revisiting "Woman-Woman Marriage": Notes on Gikuyu Women". NWSA Journal 12 (1): 1–23. doi:10.1353/nwsa.2000.0015. Retrieved 28 September 2012.
- ^ "Dictionaries take lead in redefining modern marriage". The Washington Times. 24 May 2004. Retrieved 25 September 2012.
- ^ "Webster Makes It Official: Definition of Marriage Has Changed". American Bar Association. Retrieved 28 September 2012.
- ^ Redman, Daniel (7 April 2009). "Noah Webster Gives His Blessing: Dictionaries recognize same-sex marriage—who knew?". Slate (magazine). Retrieved 28 September 2012.
- ^ Dershowitz, Alan M. (3 December 2003). "Government Should Quit the Marriage Business". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 8 March 2007.
- ^ "Board of Advisors". Ruth Institute. Archived from the original on 4 October 2009. Retrieved 6 October 2009.
- ^ Morse, Jennifer Roback (20 May 2004). "Not a Social Contract". National Review. Archived from the original on 29 October 2006. Retrieved 8 March 2007.
- ^ Kincaid, Cliff (26 February 2004). "Honest Versus Slanted Journalism". Accuracy In Media. Retrieved 8 March 2007.
- ^ Cline, Austin. "Washington Times Dismisses Gay "Marriages"". About.com. Retrieved 8 March 2007.
- ^ "The Divine Institution of Marriage". The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Retrieved 28 September 2012.
- ^ "Bishops discuss religious liberty, marriage, finances at annual meeting". Catholic New Service (Baltimore). Retrieved 24 July 2012.[dead link]
- ^ "Marriage Protection Sunday: Churches encouraged to address 'gay marriage'". Baptist Press. 19 May 2006. Retrieved 30 September 2011.
- ^ "Same-sex marriage and children’s well-being: Research roundup". Journalist's Resource. 26 June 2015. Retrieved 29 December 2015.
- ^ Hasin, Deborah. "Lesbian, gay, bisexual individuals risk psychiatric disorders from discriminatory policies". Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. Retrieved 20 September 2012.
- ^ Brian Mustanski (22 March 2010). "New study suggests bans on gay marriage hurt mental health of LGB people". Psychology Today. Retrieved 8 November 2010.
- ^ Rauch, Jonathan. "For Better or Worse? The Case for Gay (and Straight) Marriage". The New Republic via jonathanrauch.com. Retrieved 20 September 2012.
- ^ Rauch, Jonathan (2004). Gay Marriage: Why It Is Good for Gays, Good for Straights, and Good for America. New York, NY: Henry Holt and Company, LLC.
- ^ a b c Pawelski, J. G.; Perrin, E. C.; Foy, J. M.; Allen, C. E.; Crawford, J. E.; Del Monte, M.; Kaufman, M.; Klein, J. D.; Smith, K.; Springer, S.; Tanner, J. L.; Vickers, D. L. (2006). "The Effects of Marriage, Civil Union, and Domestic Partnership Laws on the Health and Well-being of Children". Pediatrics 118 (1): 349–364. doi:10.1542/peds.2006-1279. PMID 16818585.
- ^ Herek, Gregory M. "Legal recognition of same-sex relationships in the United States: A social science perspective." American Psychologist, Vol 61(6), September 2006, 607–621.
- ^ Contact: Elaine Justice: 404.727.0643. "Study Links Gay Marriage Bans to Rise in HIV infections". Emory University. Retrieved 5 November 2010.
- ^ Peng, Handie. "The Effect of Same-Sex Marriage Laws on Public Health and Welfare". academia.edu. Retrieved 11 February 2012.
- ^ Francis, AM; Mialon, HM (March 2010). "Tolerance and HIV" (PDF). Journal of Health Economics 29 (2): 250–267. doi:10.1016/j.jhealeco.2009.11.016. PMID 20036431. Retrieved 19 July 2010.
- ^ a b c Newport, Frank. "For First Time, Majority of Americans Favor Legal Gay Marriage". Gallup. Retrieved 25 September 2012.
- ^ "Public Opinion: Nationally". australianmarriageequality.com. Archived from the original on 24 September 2012. Retrieved 25 September 2012.
- ^ "Gay Life in Estonia". globalgayz.com. Archived from the original on 16 July 2012. Retrieved 25 September 2012.
- ^ Jowit, Juliette (12 June 2012). "Gay marriage gets ministerial approval". The Guardian (London). Retrieved 25 September 2012.
- ^ "Most Irish people support gay marriage, poll says". PinkNews. 24 February 2011. Retrieved 25 September 2012.
- ^ "Law and Civil Rights". PollingReport.com. POLLING REPORT, INC. 2013. Retrieved 27 April 2013.
- ^ "Survey – Generations at Odds: The Millennial Generation and the Future of Gay and Lesbian Rights". Public Religion Research Institute. Retrieved 25 September 2012.
- ^ "Pew Forum: Part 2: Gay Marriage". Pew Research Center. Archived from the original on 10 September 2012. Retrieved 25 September 2012.
- ^ Poirier, Justine. "Same-Sex Marriage: Let's Make a Change". Montréalités Justice. Retrieved 25 September 2012.
- ^ "Data Points: Support for Legal Same-Sex Marriage". The Chronicle of Higher Education. 16 March 2010. Retrieved 25 September 2012.
- ^ "Support for Same‐Sex Marriage in Latin America" (PDF). Vanderbilt University. Retrieved 25 September 2012.
- ^ Shaw criticises Boswell's methodology and conclusions as disingenuous Shaw, Brent (July 1994). "A Groom of One's Own?". The New Republic: 43–48. Archived from the original on 7 May 2006. Retrieved 25 June 2009.
- ^ Boswell, John (1995). Same-sex unions in premodern Europe. New York: Vintage Books. pp. 80–85. ISBN 0-679-75164-5.
- ^ Frier, Bruce. "Roman Same-Sex Weddings from the Legal Perspective". University of Michigan. Retrieved 25 September 2012.
- ^ Bunson, M., Encyclopedia of the Roman Empire,Infobase Publishing, 2009, p. 259.
- ^ Dio Cassius Epitome 80.5, 80.14, 80.15, 80.16; Herodian Roman History 5.6.1–5.6.2. Old Translation of passage at: http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Cassius_Dio/80*.html http://www.tertullian.org/fathers/herodian_05_book5.htm
- ^ Scarre, Chris (1995). Chronicles of the Roman Emperors. London: Thames and Hudson Ltd. p. 151. ISBN 0-500-05077-5.
- ^ Williams, CA., Roman Homosexuality: Second Edition, Oxford University Press, 2009, p. 284.
- ^ a b Nero missed her so greatly that, on learning of a woman who resembled her, he sent for her and kept her; but later he caused a boy of the freedmen, whom he used to call Sporus, ... "he formally "married" Sporus, and assigned the boy a regular dowry according to contract;" q.v., Suetonius Nero 28; Dio Cassius Epitome 62.28 Old Translation of passage at:http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Cassius_Dio/62*.html
- ^ Dio Cassius Epitome 62.28, 62.13. Old Translation of passage at: http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Cassius_Dio/62*.html
- ^ Corbett, The Roman Law of Marriage (Oxford, 1969), pp. 24–28; Treggiari, Roman Marriage (Oxford, 1991), pp. 43–49.; "Marriages where the partners had conubium were marriages valid in Roman law (iusta matrimonia)" [Treggiari, p. 49]. Compare Ulpian (Tituli Ulpiani) 5.3–5: "Conubium is the capacity to marry a wife in Roman law. Roman citizens have conubium with Roman citizens, but with Latins and foreigners only if the privilege was granted. There is no conubium with slaves"; compare also Gaius (Institutionum 1:55–56, 67, 76–80).
- ^ Treggiari, Roman Marriage (Oxford, 1991), p. 5.
- ^ Eskridge, William N. (Oct 1993). "A History of Same-Sex Marriage". Virginia Law Review 79 (7).
The Romans may have accorded some same-sex unions the legal or cultural status of marriage.
- ^ Kuefler, Mathew (2007). "The Marriage Revolution in Late Antiquity: The Theodosian Code and Later Roman Marriage Law". Journal of Family History 32 (4): 343–370. doi:10.1177/0363199007304424.
- ^ M.J.A. "El primer matrimonio homosexual de Galicia se ofició en 1061 en Rairiz de Veiga". Retrieved 27 February 2011.
- ^ "How Same-Sex Marriage Came to Be". March–April 2013. Retrieved 28 March 2015.
- ^ "The secret history of same-sex marriage". The Guardian. 23 January 2015. Retrieved 26 July 2015.
- ^ Rule, Sheila (2 October 1989). "Rights for Gay Couples in Denmark". New York Times. Retrieved 19 August 2013.
- ^ "Same-sex marriage around the world". CBC News (Toronto). 26 May 2009. Retrieved 6 October 2009.
- ^ "Legislative record of the same-sex marriage bill (in Dutch)". senaat.be (Belgian Senate). Retrieved 25 September 2012. and "Legislative record of the same-sex marriage bill (in French)". senaat.be (Belgian Senate). Retrieved 25 September 2012.
- ^ "Portugal's president signs gay marriage bill". CBC News (Toronto). Associated Press. 17 May 2010. Retrieved 5 November 2010.
- ^ "Argentina legalizes same-sex marriage". CNN (Buenos Aires). CNN. 16 July 2010. Retrieved 7 April 2016.
- ^ "Colombia Legalizes Gay Marriage, Huge Victory for LGBTI Rights". teleSUR (Caracas, Venezuela). Reuters. 7 April 2016. Retrieved 7 April 2016.
- ^ "Nepal approves same-sex marriage". Hindustan Times (New Delhi). 19 November 2008. Retrieved 5 November 2010.
- ^ a b Native American tribes challenge Oklahoma gay marriage ban, Al Jazeera, 22 October 2013
- ^ a b Stuart, Hunter (22 October 2013). "Gay Couple Married In Oklahoma: Jason Pickel, Darren Black Bear Tie The Knot Despite State Ban". Huffingtonpost.com. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
- ^ a b "HUDOC - European Court of Human Rights". Retrieved 26 July 2015.
- ^ Antoine Buyse (24 June 2010). "Strasbourg court rules that states are not obliged to allow gay marriage". The Guardian. Retrieved 8 November 2013.
- ^ Christopher Booker (9 February 2013). "Gay marriage: the French connection". The Telegraph (London). Retrieved 8 November 2013.
- ^ Jamie Clarke (6 June 2013). "Gay marriage politically, rather than ethically motivated". So So Gay. So So Gay Ltd. Retrieved 8 November 2013.
- ^ "Sir Nicholas Bratza". Press Complaints Commission. Press Complaints Commission. 2013. Retrieved 8 November 2013.[dead link]
- ^ "European Convention on Human Rights" (PDF). ECHR.coe.int. European Court of Human Rights. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 July 2014. Retrieved 25 July 2015.
- ^ "UKIP and Tories abstain on EU motion to recognise same-sex marriage". PinkNews. Retrieved 26 July 2015.
- ^ "Texts adopted - Thursday, 12 March 2015 - Annual report on human rights and democracy in the world 2013 and the EU policy on the matter - P8_TA-PROV(2015)0076". Retrieved 26 July 2015.
- ^ "Annual report on human rights and democracy in the world 2013 and the EU policy on the matter". Retrieved 26 July 2015.
- ^ Wall, Allan. "Mexican Supreme Court Advances Gay Marriage Agenda". News With Views. Retrieved 9 February 2012.
The ruling [on] 5 August 2010, upheld the Mexico City same-sex marriage law as being constitutional. (The vote on that ruling was 8 to 2). Five days late[r]...the Supreme Court...decreed that same-sex marriages performed in Mexico City are valid marriages throughout all of Mexico.
- ^ a b Randal C. Archibold & Paulina Villegas (14 June 2015). "With Little Fanfare, Mexican Supreme Court Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage". New York Times. Retrieved 16 June 2015.
- ^ "Israeli Minister backs down on definition of marriage". Archived from the original on 2007-09-14.
- ^ Barrionuevo, Alexei (16 July 2010). "Argentina Approves Gay Marriage, in a First for Region". The New York Times. Retrieved 9 February 2012.
- ^ Barrionuevo, Alexei (13 July 2010). "Argentina Senate to Vote on Gay Marriage". The New York Times.
- ^ "Brazil's supreme court recognizes gay partnerships". Reuters. 5 May 2011. Retrieved 16 February 2012.
- ^ "Brazilian judge gives male couple approval for what court says is country's first gay marriage". The Washington Post. 27 June 2011. Archived from the original on 2 July 2011.
- ^ "Provimento Conjunto trata de união homoafetiva". Tribunal de Justiça do Estado da Bahia (official web site of the state supreme court). Archived from the original on 27 September 2013.
- ^ "Bahia já pode oficializar casamento homoafetivo". Bahia24/7 (in Portuguese). 27 November 2012. Retrieved 27 November 2012.
- ^ "Norma do TJ obriga cartórios de SP a registrar casamento gay". Folha de S. Paulo. 19 December 2012.
- ^ "CNJ obriga cartórios a celebrar casamento entre homossexuais". Estadao.com.br. 14 May 2013. Retrieved 5 April 2014.
- ^ "G1 - Decisão do CNJ obriga cartórios a fazer casamento homossexual - notícias em Política". Política. Retrieved 26 July 2015.
- ^ "Jornal do Brasil". Jornal do Brasil. Retrieved 26 July 2015.
- ^ (Portuguese) DIÁRIO DA JUSTIÇA CONSELHO NACIONAL DE JUSTIÇA Edição nº 89/2013
- ^ (Portuguese) Regra que obriga cartórios a fazer casamento gay vale a partir do dia 16
- ^ Almost half of Brazilian internet users support gay marriage – The Christian Post in Portuguese (Portuguese)
- ^ 62% of people aren't approving of gay marriage, according to poll – Telelistas (Portuguese)
- ^ A majority of Brazilians is against same-sex marriage and regards church as the most trustworthy institution, reveals research – Gospel+ (Portuguese)
- ^ Matrimonio gay corte constitucional Le daria el Si definitivo
- ^ "Colombia legalizes same-sex marriage". Deutsche Welle. 28 April 2016.
- ^ "Corte legaliza el matrimonio entre parejas del mismo sexo". W Radio. 28 April 2016.
- ^ "Histórico: Colombia tiene matrimonio homosexual". El Tiempo. 7 April 2016.
- ^ "Colombia says 'I do' to gay marriage". The City Paper Bogota. 7 April 2016.
- ^ "Colombia high court rules in favor of same-sex marriage". Washington Blade. 7 April 2016.
- ^ "Colombia Legalizes Gay Marriage, Huge Victory for LGBTI Rights". TeleSur (English). 7 April 2016.
- ^ Decision C-029 of 2009
- ^ Colombian court confirms equal rights for same-sex couples, Pink News, 30 January 2009
- ^ DECISION C-577/11 The homosexuals have the right to form a family
- ^ "Colombian court says Congress must decide on gay marriage". CNN. 27 July 2011.
- ^ (Spanish) "Matrimonio gay" empieza a ser tramitado en Senado
- ^ "Gay marriage bill passes first hurdle - Colombia Politics". Colombia Politics. Retrieved 26 July 2015.
- ^ (Spanish) Por primera vez una comisión del Congreso aprueba el matrimonio gay
- ^ "Colombia lawmakers reject controversial gay marriage bill". Reuters. 24 April 2013.
- ^ (Spanish) Juez aplica norma del matrimonio civil a pareja gay y cita a contrayentes con dos testigos. Retrieved 12 July 2013.
- ^ "Carlos y Gonzalo, la primera pareja gay "civilmente casada", pero sin matrimonio" (in Spanish). RCN Radio. 2013-07-24. Retrieved 2014-04-05.
- ^ Andrew Potts (2013-10-01). "Judges allow first same-sex marriages in Colombia". Gay Star News. Retrieved 2014-04-05.
- ^ "Rechazan tutela que tumbaba primer matrimonio gay en el país". Eltiempo.Com. 2013-10-24. Retrieved 2014-04-05.
- ^ "CM& la noticia". Retrieved 26 July 2015.
- ^ Sanners, Peter (7 June 2012). "Gay marriage legalised". The Copenhagen Post. Archived from the original on 18 August 2012. Retrieved 25 September 2012.
- ^ The Registered Partnership Act
- ^ Rule, Sheila (2 October 1989). "Rights for Gay Couples in Denmark". The New York Times. Retrieved 7 June 2012.
- ^ (Danish) [1]
- ^ "Parliament in Greenland unanimously approves same-sex marriage". Pink News. 27 May 2015.
- ^ "Første homoseksuelle par viet i kirken". Greenlandic Bradcasting Corporation. 1 April 2016. Archived from the original on 2 April 2016.
- ^ Hjúnarbandslógin løgd fyri tingið
- ^ (Faroese) Dagsskráin 2015 - Týsdagur, 24. November 2015, kl. 10:00
- ^ Gregersen, Árni (27 April 2016). "Uppskot um at samkynd kunnu giftast samtykt" (in Faroese). in.fo. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
- ^ "Faroe Islands approves same-sex unions". EUobserver. 28 April 2016. Retrieved 28 April 2016.
- ^ 19/2015 Uppskot til rikislógartilmæli um at seta í gildi fyri Føroyar partar av broytingum í hjúnabandslógini og rættarvirknaðarlógini
- ^ "Faroe Islands legalizes same-sex marriage". SDGLN.com. 30 April 2016.
- ^ (Faroese) 19/2015 Uppskot til rikislógartilmæli um at seta í gildi fyri Føroyar partar av broytingum í hjúnabandslógini og rættarvirknaðarlógini
- ^ (Faroese) Hjúnarbandslógin løgd fyri tingið
- ^ a b "Finnish Parliament approves same-sex marriage". Yle. 28 November 2014. Retrieved 28 November 2014.
- ^ "Gender-Neutral Marriage Law Possible by 2012". Finnish Broadcasting Company. Retrieved 1 October 2010.
- ^ McCormick, Joseph Patrick (1 March 2013). "Finland: Parliamentary committee narrowly rejects equal marriage bill". PinkNews.co.uk web. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
- ^ "Petitioners take gay marriage bill to Parliament". Yle. Retrieved 11 April 2013.
- ^ "Initiative for equal Marriage Act presented to Parliament". Helsinki Times. 13 December 2013.
- ^ "Torstain täysitunnossa kansalaisaloite tasa-arvoisesta avioliittolaista" [Thursday's plenary session debates initiative on marriage equality] (in Finnish). Parliament of Finland. 20 February 2014. Retrieved 20 February 2014.
- ^ "Eduskunnan työjärjestys" (in Finnish). Ministry of Justice of Finland. Retrieved 20 February 2014.
- ^ "Lakivaliokunta hylkäsi tasa-arvoisen avioliittolain äänin 9-8: Näin äänestettiin". Iltasanomat (in Finnish) (Sanoma News). Suomen Tietotoimisto. 20 November 2014. Retrieved 10 December 2014.
- ^ "Legal committee votes against gay marriage". Yle. 25 June 2014.
- ^ "Second vote approval of gender-neutral marriage bill". Yle. 12 December 2014.
- ^ "President signs gender-neutral marriage law". Yle. 20 February 2015. Retrieved 24 February 2015.
- ^ "Gay Marriage Will Soon Become Legal in France, Big Win for LGBT Rights in Europe". AFP. Archived from the original on 28 December 2012. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
- ^ "France's parliament passes gay marriage bill". CBC News. 12 February 2013. Retrieved 24 April 2013.
- ^ "French senate votes to legalise gay marriage". BBC News. 12 April 2013. Retrieved 24 April 2013.
- ^ "Same-sex marriage: French parliament approves new law". BBC News Europe. 23 April 2013. Retrieved 23 April 2013.
- ^ Lesur, Lionel; Lisa A. Linsky; McDermott Will & Emery (13 June 2013). "France Allows Same-Sex Marriages". The National Law Review. Retrieved 20 June 2013.
- ^ "Hollande calls for calm as gay marriage opponents vow to fight on in France". Euronews. 24 April 2013. Retrieved 25 April 2013.
- ^ "Décision n° 2010–92 QPC du 28 janvier 2011". Les décisions. Conseil Constitutionel. Retrieved 24 April 2013.
- ^ Communiqué de presse – 2013-669 DC – Loi ouvrant le mariage aux couples de personnes de même sexe, Constitutional Council of France, retrieved on 17 May 2013
- ^ "Iceland passes gay marriage law in unanimous vote". Reuters. 11 June 2010. Retrieved 16 July 2010.
- ^ "New gay marriage law in Iceland comes into force". Icenews. 28 June 2010. Retrieved 16 July 2010.
- ^ "Iceland PM weds as gay marriage legalised". The Daily Telegraph (London). 28 June 2010.
- ^ "President signs same-sex marriage into Constitution". The Irish Times. 29 August 2015. Retrieved 22 September 2015.
- ^ "Ireland says Yes to same-sex marriage". RTE. 23 May 2015.
- ^ "Same-sex marriage is now legal in Republic of Ireland". BBC News. 16 November 2015.
- ^ http://www.irishtimes.com/news/partnership-laws-come-into-force-1.869456. Missing or empty
|title=(help) - ^ "Feu vert pour le mariage gay au Luxembourg". Chamber of Deputies (Luxembourg). 18 June 2014. Retrieved 18 June 2014.
- ^ (French) Mémorial A n° 125 de 2014
- ^ "Luxemburger Wort". Wort.lu. Retrieved 26 July 2015.
- ^ "Chronicle.lu". Retrieved 26 July 2015.
- ^ "Mexico City's gay marriage law takes effect". MSNBC. Associated Press. 4 March 2010. Retrieved 6 March 2010.
- ^ "Supreme court rules gay weddings valid in all Mexico". BBC News. 10 August 2010.
- ^ Brisa Muñoz (2 December 2011). "Dos matrimonios homosexuales se casaron en un municipio conservador" (in Spanish). CNN México. Retrieved 2 January 2012.
- ^ Santana, Rosa (17 April 2012). "Anula gobernador de Quintana Roo dos bodas gay; lo acusan de homofóbico". Proceso (in Spanish). Comunicación e Información, S.A. de C.V. Retrieved 20 April 2012.
- ^ Varillas, Adriana (3 May 2012). "Revocan anulación de bodas gay en QRoo". El Universal (in Spanish). Retrieved 13 June 2012.
- ^ Mexico state of Chihuahua officially approves same-sex marriage, 2015-06-12
- ^ Mexican state to allow same-sex marriage, 2015-06-12
- ^ "Mexico supreme court says state laws limiting marriage to man and woman unconstitutional". Minneapolis Star Tribune. 12 June 2015.
- ^ Mexico avalara matrimonio gay partir lunes, 2015-06-19
- ^ La Jornada. "A partir de julio, en Guerrero se permitirá casarse a parejas del mismo sexo". Lajornadaguerrero.com.mx. Retrieved 2015-07-03.
- ^ Trujillo, Javier (29 June 2015). "Invitan a boda colectiva del mismo sexo en Acapulco" (in Spanish). Acapulco, Mexico: Milenio. Retrieved 30 June 2015.
- ^ "Se casan 20 parejas en boda colectiva de personas del mismo sexo en Guerrero" (in Spanish). Acapulco, Mexico: El Sur. 11 July 2015. Retrieved 11 July 2015.
- ^ http://elbigdata.mx/diversidad/invalidos-20-matrimonios-gays-en-acapulco-registro-civil/
- ^ "Aprueba el Congreso de Nayarit los matrimonios gay" (in Spanish). La Jornada. 17 December 2015. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
- ^ MEXICO: Same-Sex Marriage Legalized In Jalisco State After Unanimous Ruling By Supreme Court
- ^ "Mexico: Campeche Becomes 7th Mexican State with Same-Sex Marriage". The Perchy Bird Blog. 10 May 2016.
- ^ Aprueban en el Congreso de Michoacán el matrimonio igualitario
- ^ Aprueba Morelos matrimonio igualitario
- ^ "Mexico President Backs Same-Sex Marriage Nationwide". CNN. 18 May 2016. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
- ^ "Same-Sex Dutch Couples Gain Marriage and Adoption Rights". The New York Times. 20 December 2000. Retrieved 30 September 2011.
- ^ "Aanpassingswet openbare lichamen Bonaire, Sint Eustatius en Saba" (in Dutch). Government of the Netherlands. 1 September 2010. Retrieved 18 December 2010.
- ^ Hartevelt, John; Levy, Dayna (14 May 2012). "MP drafting gay marriage bill". Fairfax media (via Stuff.co.nz). Retrieved 19 April 2013.
- ^ "Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Bill – Proposed Members' Bills – Legislation". New Zealand Parliament. 30 May 2012. Retrieved 19 April 2013.[dead link]
- ^ Shuttleworth, Kate; Young, Audrey (29 August 2012). "Marriage bill passes first reading". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 19 April 2013.
- ^ Watkins, Tracy (14 March 2013). "Passions fly as MPs vote on gay marriage". Fairfax Media (via Stuff.co.nz). Retrieved 19 April 2013.
- ^ "NZ legalises same-sex marriage". ABC News. Retrieved 26 July 2015.
- ^ "Gay marriage bill passed". Retrieved 26 July 2015.
- ^ "Marriage legislation becomes law". Radio New Zealand. 19 April 2013. Retrieved 26 July 2015.
- ^ "Gay marriage becomes a reality". Newstalk ZB. 19 August 2013. Retrieved 19 August 2013.
- ^ "Norway adopts gay marriage law". Agence France-Presse via Google. 11 June 2008. Archived from the original on 13 September 2012. Retrieved 25 September 2012.
- ^ "New law in Norway grants gay couples marriage rights". USA Today (Washington DC). 17 June 2008. Retrieved 30 September 2011.
- ^ "Historia con Mapas - Atlas & Maps". Archived from the original on 18 May 2015. Retrieved 26 July 2015.
- ^ "Same-sex marriage in Portugal". Retrieved 26 July 2015.
- ^ Lusa News (24 February 2012). "GAY RIGHTS: LAWMAKERS DEFEAT ADOPTION BILL FOR COUPLES". Portugal Daily View. Portugal Daily View. Retrieved 24 October 2013.
- ^ Portugal Expands Adoption Rights for Gay Couples, ABC News, The Associated Press, 17 May 2013
- ^ "Portugal allows limited adoption rights for same-sex gay couples". LGBTQ Nation. Associated Press. 17 May 2013. Retrieved 25 July 2015.
- ^ "Same-sex couples win adoption rights for partners' children in Portugal". GayStarNews. 17 May 2013. Retrieved 25 July 2015.
- ^ Duffy, Nick (11 January 2015). "Portugal: Opposition party to table same-sex adoption bill". Pink News. Retrieved 25 July 2015.
- ^ "Portuguese parliament votes against gay couples adopting". Agence France-Presse (MSN News). 22 January 2015. Retrieved 25 July 2015.
- ^ ABC News - ‘Portugal Allows Same-Sex Adoption, Artificial Insemination’
- ^ Yahoo! News - ‘Portugal Allows Same-Sex Adoption, Artificial Insemination’
- ^ Pink News - Portugal just equalised its adoption laws for gay couples
- ^ "Spain approves liberal gay marriage law". St. Petersburg Times. 1 July 2005. Retrieved 8 January 2007.
- ^ Giles, Ciaran (21 April 2005). "Spain: Gay marriage bill clears hurdle". Planetout.com. Archived from the original on 27 December 2007. Retrieved 22 December 2006.
- ^ "Spain's new government to legalize gay marriage". SignonSanDiego.com. Reuters. 15 April 2004. Archived from the original on 13 October 2009. Retrieved 14 December 2009.
- ^ "Disposiciones Generales" (PDF) (in Spanish). Boletin Oficial del Estado. 2 June 2005. Retrieved 8 January 2007.
- ^ "The Global Divide on Homosexuality". Pew Research Center's Global Attitudes Project. 4 June 2013. Retrieved 26 July 2015.
- ^ Dazed. "Spain is the world's most LGBT-friendly country". Dazed. Retrieved 26 July 2015.
- ^ "Sweden allows same-sex marriage". BBC News. 2 April 2009.
- ^ "Church of Sweden says yes to gay marriage". The Local. 22 October 2009. Archived from the original on 11 January 2012. Retrieved 24 July 2012.
- ^ Green, Jessica (16 September 2011). "Government proposes introducing gay marriage after Cameron intervention". Pink News. Retrieved 28 September 2012.
- ^ "Religious groups urge David Cameron to maintain equal marriage support". PinkNews. Retrieved 26 July 2015.
- ^ Travis, Alan (17 February 2011). "Gay marriages and heterosexual civil partnerships may soon be welcomed". The Guardian (London). Retrieved 18 February 2011.
- ^ "Equal marriage consultation". Retrieved 26 July 2015.
- ^ "Gay marriage: David Cameron backs church role". BBC News. Retrieved 26 July 2015.
- ^ Andrew Sparrow (5 February 2013). "MPs vote overwhelmingly in favour of gay marriage". London: Guardian. Retrieved 5 February 2013.
- ^ "Gay marriage: Commons passes Cameron's plan". BBC News. 21 May 2013. Retrieved 21 May 2013.
- ^ "Lords Hansard text for 4 Jun 201304 Jun 2013 (pt 0002)". Publications.parliament.uk. 4 June 2013. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
- ^ a b "Same-sex marriage becomes law in England and Wales". BBC News. 17 July 2013. Retrieved 17 July 2013.
- ^ "Same-sex marriage now legal as first couples wed". BBC News. Retrieved 26 July 2015.
- ^ "Consultation sees 50,000 responses". The Scotsman (Edinburgh). 10 December 2011. Retrieved 9 February 2012.
- ^ "Scottish Parliament Website". Scottish Government. Retrieved 9 February 2012.
- ^ "Same sex marriage". Retrieved 26 July 2015.
- ^ "Scotland's gay marriage bill published at Holyrood". BBC News. Retrieved 26 July 2015.
- ^ Andrew Woodcock (16 July 2013). "Gay marriage moves a step closer in UK". The Australian. Retrieved 16 July 2013.
- ^ "Scotland's same-sex marriage bill is passed". BBC News. Retrieved 26 July 2015.
- ^ "Thursday 13 March 2014 – Announcements – Scottish Parliament". scottish.parliament.uk. 13 March 2014.
- ^ "Scotland's same-sex marriage bill is passed". BBC News. 4 February 2014. Retrieved 14 March 2014.
- ^ "Same-sex marriage becomes legal in Scotland". Scotsman. 16 December 2014.
- ^ "Scotland's First Same-Sex Marriages To Take Place On Hogmanay". BuzzFeed. Retrieved 26 July 2015.
- ^ "Malcolm Brown and Joe Schofield will be first married gay couple - Stirling & Central - News". STV News. Retrieved 26 July 2015.
- ^ Gumbel, Andrew. "The Great Undoing?". The Advocate. Retrieved 9 July 2012.
- ^ "Same Sex Marriage Laws – History". National Conference of State Legislatures. Retrieved 1 August 2012.
- ^ LAX, JEFFREY R. (August 2009). "Gay Rights in the States: Public Opinion and Policy Responsiveness" (PDF). American Political Science Review 103 (3): 67–86. doi:10.1017/S0003055409990050. Retrieved 20 December 2011.
- ^ Silver, Nate (9 May 2012). "Support for Gay Marriage Outweighs Opposition in Polls". New York Times. Retrieved 28 October 2012.
- ^ Belluck, Oam (17 May 2004). "With Festive Mood, Gay Weddings Begin in Massachusetts". New York Times. Retrieved 11 January 2014.
- ^ "US CODE: Title 1,7. Definition of "marriage" and "spouse"". Cornell University. 7 April 2010. Retrieved 5 November 2010.
- ^ Swaine, Jon (9 May 2012). "Barack Obama endorses gay marriage". The Daily Telegraph (London). Retrieved 9 April 2013.
- ^ "Obama Affirms Support for Same-Sex Marriage". ABC News. 9 May 2012.
- ^ Gast, Phil (9 May 2012). "Obama announces he supports same-sex marriage". CNN. Retrieved 10 May 2012.
- ^ Nakamura, David (19 July 2011). "Obama backs bill to repeal Defense of Marriage Act". The Washington Post. Retrieved 25 July 2015.
- ^ Harris, Chris (1 November 2008). "Did Barack Obama Answer Your Question?". MTV. Retrieved 1 February 2010.
- ^ "North Carolina Gay Marriage Ban: Obama Says He's 'Disappointed'". The Huffington Post. Associated Press. 8 May 2012. Retrieved 23 July 2012.
- ^ Savage, Charlie (23 February 2011). "Obama Shifts Course on Defense of Marriage Act". The New York Times.
- ^ Shear, Michael D. (25 April 2011). "Law Firm Backs Out of Defending Marriage Act". The Caucus (New York Times blog).
- ^ "ABC News/Washington Post poll: Strong Support for Gay Marriage Now Exceeds Strong Opposition – 23 May 2012" (PDF). Retrieved 16 September 2012.
- ^ "CNN Opinion Research – May 29–31, 2012" (PDF). Retrieved 16 September 2012.
- ^ Jacobs, Deborah L. (7 November 2012). "Gay Marriage Scores Victories In All Four States That Considered It, But Tough Road Lies Ahead". Forbes. Retrieved 23 December 2012.
- ^ "Opinions recap: Giant step for gay marriage". SCOTUSblog. 26 June 2013. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
- ^ "U.S. 21st country to allow same-sex marriage nationwide". CNN. 26 June 2015.
- ^ "Certiorari Denied" (PDF).
- ^ Liptak, Adam (6 October 2014). "Supreme Court Clears Way for Gay Marriage in 5 States". New York Times. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
- ^ Wolf, Richard (26 June 2015). "Supreme Court strikes down bans on same-sex marriage". USA Today. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
- ^ Liptak, Adam (26 June 2015). "Gay Marriage Backers Win Supreme Court Victory". nytimes.com. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
- ^ Wolf, Richard (26 June 2015). "Timeline: Same-sex marriage through the years". USA TODAY.
- ^ "Justice Ginsburg to Officiate at Same-Sex Wedding". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 3 September 2013. Retrieved 30 August 2013.
- ^ "Michael Kaiser—Newly Married by Justice Ginsburg—on Love, Marriage, and What’s Coming Up for the Kennedy Center". 4 September 2013.
- ^ "Support for same-sex marriage hits new high; half say Constitution guarantees right". The Washington Post. 5 March 2014. Retrieved 5 April 2014.
- ^ "Diputados aprobó el matrimonio igualitario Pasada la mediano". Noticias (in Spanish). Diario UNoticias. 12 December 2012. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
- ^ "Same-sex marriage bill comes into force in Uruguay". BBC News. Retrieved 26 July 2015.
- ^ "El PS presenta una proposició de llei per permetre el matrimoni gai" (in Catalan). Diari Bondia. 31 March 2014. Retrieved 26 April 2014.
- ^ "El PS entra una proposició de llei per regular el matrimoni homosexual" (in Catalan). Ràdio i Televisió d'Andorra. 31 March 2014. Retrieved 26 April 2014.
- ^ (Catalan) DA diu NO al matrimoni gai
- ^ (Catalan) DA rebutja el text del PS sobre el matrimoni gai i en fa un d’alternatiu
- ^ Adam Withnall (12 December 2013). "Australia: Gay marriage law reversed by high court less than a week after first weddings". The Independent (London). Retrieved 15 December 2013.
- ^ "Nationalrat: Grüne bringen Antrag zur Ehe-Öffnung für Lesben und Schwule ein". Thinkoutsideyourbox.net. 20 November 2013.
- ^ (German) Allgemeines bürgerliches Gesetzbuch, Änderung
- ^ (German) Abstimmung über Ehe-Öffnung ohne Klubzwang?
- ^ "MPs approve historic Human Rights Act changes | The Royal Gazette:Bermuda Politics". The Royal Gazette. Retrieved 2016-04-11.
- ^ "Preserve Marriage in Bermuda - Home". www.preservemarriage.bm. Retrieved 2016-04-11.
- ^ "Human Rights concern over new law | The Royal Gazette:Bermuda Politics". The Royal Gazette. Retrieved 2016-04-11.
- ^ "House: Same-sex referendum tabled by Dunkley | The Royal Gazette:Bermuda Politics". The Royal Gazette. Retrieved 2016-04-11.
- ^ "Decision To Hold Referendum Is 'Disappointing' - Bernews.com". Bernews.com. Retrieved 2016-04-11.
- ^ http://www.royalgazette.com/news/article/20160624/bermuda-roundly-rejects-same-sex-marriage
- ^ Morgan, Joe (12 March 2014). "Chile expected to legalize gay marriage". Gay Star News. Retrieved 10 April 2014.
- ^ "Estudio Nacional de Opinión Pública, Junio–Julio 2011. Tema especial: Educación". Cepchile.cl. Retrieved 11 April 2014.
- ^ "El proyecto de ley de matrimonio igualitario llega al Parlamento de Chile". Cáscara Amarga. 2014-12-11. Retrieved 2014-12-11.
- ^ "Chile recognises same-sex civil unions". BBC.com. BBC News.
- ^ Esposito, Anthony. "Socially-conservative Chile approves civil unions". Reuters. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
- ^ http://plazapublica.cl/wp-content/uploads/658799.pdf
- ^ "政协发言人称同性婚姻太超前 李银河提案再受挫_新闻中心_新浪网". News.sina.com.cn. Retrieved 22 May 2012.
- ^ (Spanish)Proyecto de ley N.°19.508
- ^ (Spanish) Proyecto de organizaciones sociales para Matrimonio Igualitario ya está en la Asamblea Legislativa
- ^ (Spanish) 12 Diputados respaldan proyecto de ley para permitir matrimonio gay
- ^ (Spanish) Proyecto de Ley Matrimonio Igualitario by Frente Por los Derechos Igualitarios
- ^ "Lesbian marriages in India". despardes.com. Archived from the original on 3 February 2014. Retrieved 11 April 2014.
- ^ Joe Morgan (11 April 2014). "India ‘party of the people’ promises to legalize gay sex, marriage". Gay Star News. Retrieved 11 April 2014.
- ^ Harkov, Lahav (16 May 2012). "Knesset rejects marriage equality bill". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 28 May 2012.
- ^ "Grosseto, il tribunale al Comune: 'Riconoscete quel matrimonio gay'". La Repubblica (in Italian). 9 April 2014. Retrieved 9 April 2014.
- ^ "Nozze gay all'estero, c'è la firma del sindaco: saranno trascritte in Comune". La Repubblica (in Italian). 22 July 2014. Retrieved 22 July 2014.
- ^ "Matrimoni gay, via alle trascrizioni: Roberto e Miguel la prima coppia". La Repubblica (in Italian). 25 June 2014. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
- ^ "Via libera del sindaco Barnini ai matrimoni gay. Emanata una direttiva" (in Italian). http://www.gonews.it/. 15 September 2014. Retrieved 15 September 2014. External link in
|publisher=(help) - ^ "Matrimoni gay presto possibili a Pordenone". Messaggero Veneto (in Italian). 15 September 2014. Retrieved 15 September 2014.
- ^ "Udine dice sì alla trascrizione dei matrimoni gay" (in Italian). IlFriuli.it. 29 September 2014. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
- ^ "Primo sì al registro delle nozze gay". Corriere Fiorentino (in Italian). 2 October 2014. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
- ^ "Matrimoni gay, c'è l'ok del consiglio comunale di Piombino" (in Italian). Il Tirreno. 2 October 2014. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
- ^ "è festa a Bagheria: trascritto il primo matrimonio gay". Palermo Today (in Italian). 13 November 2014. Retrieved 13 November 2014.
- ^ "Nozze gay all'estero, prime richieste di trascrizione a Milano: 'Pisapia, basta chiacchiere'". La Repubblica (in Italian). 22 September 2014. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
- ^ "Nozze gay: il 54% degli italiani è favorevole, sondaggio Datamonitor" (in Italian). http://www.huffingtonpost.it/. 7 January 2013. Retrieved 7 January 2013. External link in
|publisher=(help) - ^ (French) Enquête sur la droitisation des opinions publiques européennes
- ^ "Nozze gay, per la prima volta oltre la metà degli italiani dice sì" (in Italian). La Repubblica. 2014-10-12.
- ^ "Unioni civili, Camera approva: è legge. Renzi: "Battaglia da fare senza contare voti"" (in Italian). La Repubblica. 2016-05-11. Retrieved 2016-05-11.
- ^ The Constitution of Japan. Tokyo. 3 November 1946. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
- ^ "Majority of Japanese Support Same-Sex Marriage, Poll Shows". Bloomberg. 29 November 2015.
- ^ a b "Aġġornat: Ryan u Jaime jirreġistraw l-ewwel żwieġ gay f'Malta - TVM". TVM. Retrieved 26 July 2015.
- ^ "Nepal charter to grant gay rights". Hindustan Times. 19 January 2010. Retrieved 1 February 2010.
- ^ Nelson, Dean (19 January 2010). "Nepal 'to stage gay weddings on Everest'". The Daily Telegraph (London). Retrieved 1 February 2010.
- ^ Chapagain, Kiran; Yardley, Jim (31 May 2012). "Legislature in Nepal Disbands in Failure". The New York Times. Retrieved 1 June 2012.
- ^ "BODNAR, SEARS, LEGIERSKI, LISICKI: Małżeństwa par jednopłciowych. Nowy etap?" (in Polish). Kultura Liberalna. Retrieved 3 July 2015.
- ^ "Dlaczego nie małżeństwa? Sąd nad homofobią" (in Polish). Ruch LGBT. Retrieved 3 July 2015.
- ^ Feliksiak, Michał (February 2013). "Stosunek do praw gejów i lesbijek oraz związków partnerskich" (PDF). Centrum Badania Opinii Społecznej. Retrieved 30 June 2014.
- ^ "Pobudniki referenduma uspeli, sprememba zakona o zakonski zvezi zavrnjena" (in Slovenian). 20 December 2015. Retrieved 20 December 2015.
- ^ (French) 13.468 – Initiative parlementaire Mariage civil pour tous, Swiss Parliament, retrieved 18 June 2014
- ^ (French) Entrée en matière sur le projet de loi sur les avoirs de potentats, National Council, retrieved 20 February 2015
- ^ (French) [2], ifop, retrieved 18 June 2014
- ^ (German) Mehrheit der Schweizer für Ehe zwischen Homosexuellen, blick.ch, retrieved on 22 February 2015
- ^ (German) 71 Prozent der Schweizer für Homo-Ehe, sonntagszeitung.ch, retrieved on 22 February 20152015
- ^ (French) Rapport du Conseil fédéral - Modernisation du droit de la famille, Federal Department of Justice and Police, retrieved on 27 May 2015
- ^ (French) Sommaruga espère que les homosexuels pourront bientôt se marier, L'Hebdo, retrieved on 27 May 2015
- ^ Eidgenössische Volksinitiative 'Für Ehe und Familie - gegen die Heiratsstrafe'
- ^ Arrêté fédéral concernant l’initiative populaire «Pour le couple et la famille – Non à la pénalisation du mariage», admin.ch
- ^ Bundesrat gegen CVP-Initiative, 18 November 2015, queer.ch
- ^ Bundesrat lanciert Abstimmungskampf zur Volksinitiative gegen die «Heiratsstrafe», 17 November 2015, admin.ch
- ^ Kriminelle Ausländer, Gotthard und Heiratsstrafe, 7 October 2014, NZZ
- ^ Tax break for married couples rejected, 28 February 2016, Swissinfo.ch
- ^ Lii Wen (2014-12-21). "Gay marriage proposal set for review". Taipei Times. Retrieved 2014-12-21.
- ^ "Nearly two thirds of Taiwan supports marriage equality, survey finds". PinkNews. 30 November 2015.
- ^ http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/watch-taiwan-presidential-frontrunner-officially-endorses-marriage-equality/
- ^ "Thai marriage equality bill unable to proceed due to political crisis". LGBT Weekly. 10 April 2014. Retrieved 24 April 2014.
- ^ "Same-sex marriage may come true under Thai junta". Retrieved 26 July 2015.
- ^ "BDP'nin eşcinsel evlilik isteği tartışılıyor". Haber10. Retrieved 24 July 2012.
- ^ GL, Kaos. "LGBT Initiative from Prime Minister Erdoğan!". ILGA Europe. Archived from the original on 24 July 2012. Retrieved 24 July 2012.
- ^ "Bekâret ve eşcinsellik...". Radikal. Retrieved 10 February 2013.
- ^ "Türkiye'nin yüzde 80'i eşcinsel evliliğe karşı". İhlas Haber Ajansı (in Turkish). 22 July 2015.
- ^ "Vietnam government consults on same-sex marriage". 20 June 2012. Retrieved 26 January 2013.
- ^ "Vote on same-sex marriage in Vietnam likely to be delayed until 2014".
- ^ Thomas Maresca (30 April 2013). "Vietnam: Flawed on Human Rights, but a Leader in Gay Rights". The Atlantic. Retrieved 12 May 2013.
- ^ "Vietnam ends same-sex marriage fines | Bangkok Post: breakingnews". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
- ^ S.Sarkar, Gay Star News. 13 October 2013.'It's final Gay wedding fines to go in Vietnam.' http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/it%E2%80%99s-final-gay-wedding-fines-go-vietnam131013 retrieved 13 Oct 2013
- ^ "The latest entertainment news for Australia’s LGBTIQ community". Gay News Network. Retrieved 6 January 2014.
- ^ Tuoi Tre Newspaper. "Vietnam to remove fines on same-sex marriage". Retrieved 26 July 2015.
- ^ (Vietnamese) NGHỊ ĐỊNH – QUY ĐỊNH XỬ PHẠT VI PHẠM HÀNH CHÍNH TRONG LĨNH VỰC BỔ TRỢ TƯ PHÁP, HÀNH CHÍNH TƯ PHÁP, HÔN NHÂN VÀ GIA ĐÌNH, THI HÀNH ÁN DÂN SỰ, PHÁ SẢN DOANH NGHIỆP, HỢP TÁC XÃ
- ^ (Vietnamese) Một số điểm mới về xử phạt vi phạm hành chính tại Nghị định số 110/2013/NĐ-CP
- ^ "Vietnamese lawmakers back down on giving rights to same-sex couples". Gay Star News.
- ^ "Vietnam’s Proposed Marriage Law Disappoints LGBT Activists". VOA. Retrieved 26 July 2015.
- ^ "Vietnam allows surrogacy within families, denies same-sex marriage". Thanh Nien Daily. Retrieved 26 July 2015.
- ^ Tuoi Tre Newspaper. "Vietnam removes ban on same sex marriage". Retrieved 26 July 2015.
- ^ "Vietnam set to lift gay marriage ban". Marilyn Stowe Blog. Retrieved 26 July 2015.
- ^ "UN Secretary-General Bulletin" (PDF). United Nations. Retrieved 25 September 2012.
- ^ "Jobs — Compensation & Benefits". The World Bank Group. Retrieved 8 March 2007.
- ^ Gender and Language in Sub-Saharan Africa, 2013:35
- ^ Fleshman, Michael. "African gays and lesbians combat bias: An 'invisible' minority seeks legal safeguards, acceptance". United Nations. Archived from the original on 12 February 2012. Retrieved 28 September 2012.
- ^ Igwe, Leo (19 June 2009). "Tradition of same gender marriage in Igboland". Nigerian Tribune. Archived from the original on 11 January 2010.
- ^ Towle, Andy. "NYC Protest and Civil Rights March Opposing Proposition 8". Towleroad. Retrieved 28 September 2012.
- ^ Pearson, Mary. "Where is Gay Marriage Legal?". christiangays.com. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
- ^ Williams, Steve. "Which Countries Have Legalized Gay Marriage?". Care2.com (news.bbc.co.uk as source). Retrieved 20 February 2012.
- ^ "Civil Unions law will give same sex couples same rights, duties, as married couples". timesofmalta.com. 14 October 2013. Retrieved 17 April 2014.
- ^ Camilleri, Neil (17 April 2014). "President signs 'gay marriage' Bill". Malta Independent. Retrieved 17 April 2014.
- ^ (French) Loi du 9 juillet 2004 relative aux effets légaux de certains partenariats
- ^ (French) Loi n° 99-944 du 15 novembre 1999 relative au pacte civil de solidarité
- ^ (German) Gesetz zur Einführung des gesetzlichen Zusammenwohnens
- ^ "Civil Partnership Act 2004". legislation.gov.uk.
- ^ "Same-Sex Marriage, Civil Unions and Domestic Partnerships". National Conference of State Legislatures. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
- ^ Ramstack, Tom (11 January 2010). "Congress Considers Outcome of D.C. Gay Marriage Legislation". AHN.
- ^ Bohrer, John R. (14 December 2006). "NJ Civil Unions: Nothing to Celebrate". Huffington Post.
- ^ Byron Babione (10 May 2012). "Opposing view: You can't redefine marriage". USA Today. Retrieved 20 December 2013.
- ^ "Pope: Abortion, gay marriage among world's greatest threats". USA Today (Washington DC). 14 May 2010.
- ^ "Homosexuality and Same - Sex Marriage in Islam". patheos.com. Retrieved 26 July 2015.
- ^ Mettanando Bhikkhu (13 July 2005). Religion and Same-Sex Marriage. The Buddhist Channel: Bringing Buddha Dharma Home – Issues. The Bangkok Post
- ^ "Muslim leaders stand against gay marriage". Telegraph. Retrieved 21 May 2016.
- ^ "Sweden allows gay weddings". BBC News (BBC). 22 October 2009. Retrieved 28 February 2015.
The Lutheran Church of Sweden - the country's largest - is to conduct same-sex marriages from next month.
- ^ "You may now kiss the groom". Retrieved 26 July 2015.
- ^ "Church of Norway Votes in Favor of Gay Marriage". The Christian Post. 2 November 2015.
- ^ "United Church endorses gay marriage". CBC News. CBC. 14 August 2003. Retrieved 28 February 2015.
The United Church of Canada has overwhelmingly voted to endorse same-sex marriages after an extensive and emotional debate.
- ^ United Church of Christ: Marriage Equality
- ^ (Italian) Coppie gay, storica apertura della Chiesa valdese. Ma si aspetta ancora una legge
- ^ "Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)". 19 June 2014. Retrieved 26 July 2015.
- ^ "Remonstrants and Boomsma receive homo emancipation prize". Trouw (in Dutch). 25 January 2010. Archived from the original on 5 January 2016. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
- ^ Conger, George (1 July 2015). "The Episcopal Church approves religious weddings for gay couples after controversial debate". The Washington Post.
- ^ "Stances of Faiths on LGBT Issues: Alliance of Baptists". Human Rights Campaign. Retrieved 14 May 2016.
- ^ First Baptist Church Memphis approves gay marriage and ordination
- ^ Sales, Ben (4 June 2012). "Conservative rabbinic group issues guidelines for same-sex wedding rituals". Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
- ^ Unitarian Universalist Association: Marriage Equality
- ^ title="Same-gender couples are welcome to celebrate the sacrament of matrimony"
- ^ The Eucharistic Catholic Church (ECE-ECC)
- ^ Potts, Andrew M. (19 April 2012). "Buddhists come out for equality". www.starobserver.com.au (Star Observer). Retrieved 28 February 2015.
- ^ Wilson, Jeff. "Journal of Global Buddhism 13 (2012): 31-59" (PDF). Journal of Global Buddhism. Retrieved 14 May 2016.
"All Beings Are Equally Embraced By Amida Buddha": Jodo Shinshu Buddhism and Same-Sex Marriage in the United States
- ^ O'Brien, Barbara (30 June 2015). "Same-Sex Marriage and Buddhism". About Religion & Spirituality.
- ^ "What about gay marriage?"
- ^ Official church stance of homosexual marriage
- ^ Lamb, Ph.D., Michael. "Expert Affidavit for U.S. District Court (D. Mass. 2009)" (PDF). Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders. Retrieved 24 July 2012.
- ^ "Pediatricians group backs gay marriage". lansingstateournal.com. 22 March 2013. Retrieved 11 April 2013.
- ^ a b "Pediatricians: Gay Marriage Good for Kids' Health". news.discovery.com. 22 March 2013. Retrieved 11 April 2013.
- ^ "Elizabeth Short, Damien W. Riggs, Amaryll Perlesz, Rhonda Brown, Graeme Kane: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Parented Families – A Literature Review prepared for The Australian Psychological Society" (PDF). Retrieved 5 November 2010.
- ^ "Brief of the American Psychological Association, The California Psychological Association, The American Psychiatric Association, and The American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy as Amici Curiae in Support of Plaintiff-Appellees" (PDF). United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Retrieved 28 September 2012.
- ^ Herek GM (September 2006). "Legal recognition of same-sex relationships in the United States: a social science perspective" (PDF). The American Psychologist 61 (6): 607–21. doi:10.1037/0003-066X.61.6.607. PMID 16953748.
- ^ Biblarz, Timothy J.; Stacey, Judith (February 2010). "How Does the Gender of Parents Matter?" (PDF). Journal of Marriage and Family 72 (1): 3–22. doi:10.1111/j.1741-3737.2009.00678.x.
- ^ "Brief presented to the Legislative House of Commons Committee on Bill C38" (PDF). Canadian Psychological Association. Retrieved 28 September 2012.
- ^ User, Super. "LGBT Adoption Statistics | Gay Adoption | Same Sex Adoption". www.lifelongadoptions.com. Retrieved 2016-02-13.
- ^ "Gay Adoption Facts | Families are created with love.". gayadoption.org. Retrieved 2016-02-13.
- ^ The Fertility Sourcebook, Third Edition – Page 245, M. Sara Rosenthal – 2002
- ^ An Introduction to Family Social Work – Page 348, Donald Collins, Catheleen Jordan, Heather Coleman – 2009
- ^ (Fausto-Sterling et al., 2000)
- ^ a b Laurie, Timothy (3 June 2015), Bigotry or biology: the hard choice for an opponent of marriage equality, The Drum
- ^ "How common is intersex?". Intersex Society of North America. Retrieved 8 March 2007.
- ^ Bockting, Walter, Autumn Benner, and Eli Coleman. "Gay and Bisexual Identity Development Among Female-to-Male Transsexuals in North America: Emergence of a Transgender Sexuality." Archives of Sexual Behavior 38.5 (October 2009): 688–701. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. 29 September 2009
- ^ "Austria gets first same-sex marriage". 365gay.com. 5 July 2006. Archived from the original on 17 October 2007. Retrieved 20 July 2008.
- ^ Schwartz, John (18 September 2009). "U.S. Defends Marriage Law". The New York Times. Retrieved 29 September 2009.
- ^ Matthew S. Coleman, Esq. (16 September 2015). "Obergefell v. Hodges". Einhorn Harris. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
- ^ a b "Banned in Boston". The Weekly Standard. 5 May 2006. Retrieved 5 November 2010.
- ^ Blankenhorn, David (19 September 2008). "Protecting marriage to protect children". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 6 October 2009.
- ^ "See discussion of prenuptial and postmarital agreements at Findlaw". Family.findlaw.com. Retrieved 5 November 2010.
- ^ Dale Carpenter is a prominent spokesman for this view. For a better understanding of this view, see Carpenter's writings at http://www.indegayforum.org/staff/show/91.html.
- ^ "Catholics for Marriage Equality". Retrieved 27 June 2013.
- ^ "The Supreme Court decision". CBC News (Toronto). Archived from the original on 14 October 2010. Retrieved 5 November 2010.
- ^ Wilson, Robin J.; Laycock, Douglas; Picarello, Anthony R. (2008). Same-sex marriage and religious liberty: emerging conflicts. Washington, D.C.: Beckett Fund for Religious Liberty. ISBN 0-7425-6326-X.
- ^ Humphreys, J. (July 2006). "The Civil Partnership Act 2004, Same-Sex Marriage and the Church of England". Ecclesiastical Law Journal 8 (8): 289–306. doi:10.1017/S0956618X0000644X.
- ^ "Minister: No conscience clause for registrars opposed to same-sex marriage". 20 February 2013.
- ^ "Gay Rights, Religious Liberties: A Three-Act Story". Washington DC: NPR. Retrieved 5 November 2010.
- ^ Steinfels, Peter (22 May 2009). "Same-Sex Marriage Laws Pose Protection Quandary". The New York Times.
- ^ Leff, Lisa (4 December 2008). "Poll: Calif. gay marriage ban driven by religion". USA Today. Associated Press. archived here [3].
- ^ Mirchandani, Rajesh (12 November 2008). "Divisions persist over gay marriage ban". BBC News.
Bibliography[edit]
- Boswell, John (1995). The Marriage of Likeness: Same-sex Unions in Pre-modern Europe. New York: Simon Harper and Collins. ISBN 0-00-255508-5.
- Boswell, John (1994). Same-sex Unions in Premodern Europe. New York: Villard Books. ISBN 0-679-43228-0.
- Brownson, James V. (2013). Bible, Gender, Sexuality: Reforming the Church’s Debate on Same-Sex Relationships. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company. ISBN 978-0-8028-6863-3.
- Calò, Emanuele (2009). Matrimonio à la carte — Matrimoni, convivenze registrate e divorzi dopo l'intervento comunitario. Milano: Giuffrè.
- Caramagno, Thomas C. (2002). Irreconcilable Differences? Intellectual Stalemate in the Gay Rights Debate. Westport, CT: Praeger. ISBN 0-275-97721-8.
- Cere, Daniel (2004). Divorcing Marriage: Unveiling the Dangers in Canada's New Social Experiment. Montreal: McGill-Queen's University Press. ISBN 0-7735-2895-4.
- Chauncey, George (2004). Why Marriage?: The History Shaping Today's Debate over Gay Equality. New York: Basic Books. ISBN 0-465-00957-3.
- Dobson, James C. (2004). Marriage Under Fire. Sisters, Or.: Multnomah. ISBN 1-59052-431-4.
- George, Robert P.; Elshtain, Jean Bethke, eds. (2006). The Meaning of Marriage: Family, State, Market, And Morals. Dallas: Spence Publishing Company. ISBN 1-890626-64-3.
- Goss, Robert E.; Strongheart, Amy Adams Squire, eds. (2008). Our Families, Our Values: Snapshots of Queer Kinship. New York, NY: The Harrington Park Press, An Imprint of the Haworth Press, Inc. ISBN 1-56023-910-7.
- Larocque, Sylvain (2006). Gay Marriage: The Story of a Canadian Social Revolution. Toronto: James Lorimer & Company. ISBN 1-55028-927-6.
- Laycock, Douglas; Picarello, Anthony Jr.; Wilson, Robin Fretwell, eds. (2008). Same-Sex Marriage and Religious Liberty: Emerging Conflicts. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc. ISBN 0-7425-6326-X.
- López, Robert Oscar; Edelman, Rivka, eds. (2015). Jephthas's Daughters. Innocent casualities in the war for "family equality". CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. ISBN 978-1-5058-1078-3.
- Moats, David (2004). Civil Wars: A Battle For Gay Marriage. New York, NY: Harcourt, Inc. ISBN 0-15-101017-X.
- Oliver, Marilyn Tower (1998). Gay and lesbian rights: a struggle. Enslow Publishers. ISBN 978-0-89490-958-0.
- Rauch, Jonathan (2004). Gay Marriage: Why It Is Good for Gays, Good for Straights, and Good for America. New York, NY: Henry Holt and Company, LLC. ISBN 0-8050-7815-0.
- Smart, Carol; Heaphy, Brian; Einarsdottir, Anna (2013). Same sex marriages: new generations, new relationships. Genders and sexualities in the social sciences. Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan. ISBN 9780230300231.
- Spedale, Darren (2006). Gay Marriage: For Better or For Worse? What We've Learned From the Evidence. New York: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-518751-2.
- Sullivan, Andrew, ed. (2004). Same-Sex Marriage: Pro and Con — A Reader, Revised Updated Edition. New York, NY: Vintage Books, a division of Random House, Inc. ISBN 1-4000-7866-0.
- Truluck, Rembert S. (2000). Steps to Recovery from Bible Abuse. Gaithersburg, MD: Chi Rho Press, Inc. ISBN 1-888493-16-X.
- Wolfson, Evan (2004). Why Marriage Matters: America, Equality, and Gay People's Right to Marry. New York: Simon & Schuster. ISBN 0-7432-6459-2.
External links[edit]
 |
Definitions from Wiktionary |
 |
Media from Commons |
 |
News from Wikinews |
 |
Quotations from Wikiquote |
 |
Texts from Wikisource |
 |
Textbooks from Wikibooks |
 |
Learning resources from Wikiversity |
- Same-sex marriage at DMOZ
- Same-Sex Marriage, Civil Unions, and Domestic Partnerships collected news and commentary at The New York Times
- Same-sex marriage collected legal news at JURIST
- Considerations Regarding Proposals to Give Legal Recognition to Unions between Homosexual Persons
- "Same-Sex Marriage: Developments in the Law", Emily Doskow, NOLO.
- U.S. Census Gay Marriage Statistics from April 1999
- Same-Sex Marriage A Selective Bibliography of the Legal Literature
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
