Nations that recognize same-sex marriage include:
Belgium
The second nation to legalize same-sex marriage in 2003.
Canada
In June of 2005, the Canadian Parliament enacted a law allowing legal marriage for same-sex couples.
Netherlands
The Netherlands is the first country to grant gay marriage in 2001.
Spain
On June 29, 2005, Spain became the fourth nation to allow gay marriage.
South Africa
The fifth nation to recognize gay marriage in 2005.
US states that recognize gay marriage:
California
In May of 2008, California's Supreme Court ruled that banning same-sex marriage in the state was discriminatory. However, Proposition 8, a voter initiative was passed, effectively striking down the court ruling. Although the legality of Prop 8 is being decided right now, at the moment, marriage in California is defined as between one man and one woman.
Connecticut
In a 4 to 3 decision, the Connecticut Supreme Court overturned the state's ban on same-sex marriage, making it the third state to allow legal gay marriage.
Massachusetts
On May 17, 2004, Massachusetts became the first U.S. state to legalize same-sex marriage. The State of Massachusetts also issues licenses to gay couples from New Mexico and Rhode Island since neither state explicitly prohibits same-sex marriage.
New Jersey*
New Jersey is the third U.S. state to offer same-sex civil unions behind Vermont and Connecticut. The new same-sex civil unions law, which went into affect on February 19, 2007, grants gay and lesbian couples the same rights as marriage. *(Although same-sex unions in New Jersey are classified as civil unions, couples are granted the same rights as married heterosexual couples.)
New York
Based on a May 29, 2008 directive, New York only recognizes gay marriages from couples legally married outside of the state.
Nations that allow same-sex partnerships or unions:
Brazil
Only the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul allows same-sex civil unions. (June 2006).
Croatia
Civil partnerships for same-sex couples have been allowed since 2003.
Denmark
Legal civil partnerships have been allowed since 1989.
Finland
Has offered registered partnership benefits since September 2001.
France
Pacte Civil de Solidarité” (PACS), or “Civil Solidarity Pacts,” were instituted in France on November 9, 1999.
Germany
Gay couples can register as "Life Partnerships," granting lesser financial and pension benefits than marriage.
Hungary
Gay couples have been protected under common-law marriages since 1995, buy they are not eligible for legal marriage.
Iceland
Since 1996, gay & lesbian couples have been protected under registered partnerships.
Luxembourg
Civil partnership legislation, which is similar to France's PACS, were introduced in Luxembourg in 2004.
Mexico
Same sex civil unions were legalized in Mexico City in November 2006 and in the state of Coahuila on January of 2007, essentially making civil unions legal in all of Mexico (by law, each Mexican state must recognize the laws granted to individuals of the other states).
New Zealand
New Zealand enacted legislation recognizing same-sex civil unions in December of 2004.
Norway
Since 1996, gay & Lesbian couples have been protected under registered partnerships.
Portugal
Same-sex partners have the same rights as opposite-sex partners in common law marriage.
Sweden
Since 1995, Swedish same-sex couples have been able to register under domestic partnership laws.
Switzerland
Same-sex couples are given limited legal benefits with civil recognition.
United Kingdom
Domestic partners can register under the Civil Partnership Act. This legislation took affect in December 5, 2005 giving registered same-sex couples the same rights, privileges and responsibilities of married heterosexual couples. The Civil Partnership Act applies across all of England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
US States that allow same-sex partnerships or unions:
Connecticut
Although Connecticut defines marriage as between a man and woman, in April 2005, it became the second U.S. state to grant same-sex civil unions.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire was the 4th state behind Vermont, New Jersey and Connecticut to offer civil unions. In January 2008, same-sex partners were allowed to register for civil unions.
Oregon
Under Oregon's new domestic partnership law gay and lesbian couples are eligible for all the state-wide rights and benefits of marriage.
Vermont
In 2000, Vermont became the first U.S. state to offer same-sex civil unions.
Washington
On April 21, 2007, Washington's domestic partnership bill was signed into law giving gay and lesbian couples many of the benefits of marriage.
Sources:
Lambda Legal
Glaad.org
about.com
1 comment:
It would be interesting to see who else is on the list the U.S. is on... countries that don't recognize same-sex marriage or unions. Makes me shudder to think about it.
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