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Same-sex marriage around the world
February 5th, 2013
09:13 AM ET
Same-sex marriage around the world
Editor's note: This is an updated version of an article originally published in
May 2012.
British members of parliament are today debating a bill that would legalize
same-sex marriage. British Prime Minister David Cameron has said he supports
such efforts, but there is a free vote on the issue, meaning the parties won't
be instructing MPs how to cast their vote. Civil partnerships were introduced
in 2005, and the bill is expected by many to pass with the support of the
opposition Labour and Liberal Democrat parties.
Last year, President Barack Obama also announced that he now supports same-sex
marriage, setting off a new round of debate in the U.S. over the issue. His
support came on the heels of North Carolina voting to implement a state
constitutional ban on same-sex marriage.
But where around the world is same-sex marriage legal, where is legislation
likely to happen next and where is it criminalized?
The first same-sex couples walked down the aisle in the Netherlands in 2001.
Since then, almost a dozen countries have followed in passing laws allowing
same-sex marriages and domestic partnerships, including Argentina, Brazil,
Canada, South Africa, Belgium and Spain. Nearly 20 other countries offer some
rights to same-sex couples but stop short of marriage including France,
Germany and the U.K.
After becoming the first country to legalize same-sex unions in 1989, Denmark
last June backed a gender neutral bill allowing gay marriages through church
weddings or civil registry. And Nepal, a country that only legalized same sex
unions in 2008, has appointed a committee to develop laws on same-sex marriages.
More from CNN: U.S. activists hail watershed moment
Australia is one of many countries around the world where same-sex couples are
not permitted to legally marry. A bill that calls for the legalization of gay
marriage was submitted to parliament but received little support, especially
from the country's leader. Prime Minister Julia Gillard has long opposed gay
marriage, and in September, lawmakers voted overwhelmingly to reject a bill
that would have legalized same-sex marriage.
In a number of places, homosexuality let alone same-sex marriage is
considered illegal.
According to a report released in May 2011 by the International Lesbian, Gay,
Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association, same-sex relations are still
criminalized in 76 countries, and in five of those countries the death penalty
can be applied (Iran, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Mauritania and Sudan).
Here's the full list of where same-sex marriage is legal (and year the law
passed):
Argentina 2010
Belgium 2003
Brazil 2011
Canada 2005
Iceland 2010
Netherlands 2001
Norway 2008
Portugal 2010
South Africa 2006
Spain 2005
Sweden 2009
Denmark 2012
What's your take? Will Britain back gay marriage? Is your country likely to? Is
the U.S. debate on the issue different or the same as other parts of the world?
Submit an iReport or share your comments below.
Post by: CNN's Jason Miks
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