Same-sex marriage
Same-sex marriage is legal in only 36 countries.
Same-sex marriage
Same-sex marriage represents a critical milestone in the LGBTQ+ rights movement, allowing couples of the same sex to legally marry and receive the same marital benefits as heterosexual couples. The journey towards legalization has been varied across the globe, influenced by cultural, religious, and political factors. In some regions, the push for marriage equality has gained significant traction and achieved legal recognition, often after prolonged public and legal battles.
While full marriage equality is celebrated in many places, an alternative approach through civil unions or domestic partnerships persists in others. These frameworks typically grant a subset of rights that marriage offers, focusing on aspects like property rights or hospital visitation. However, they often fall short in areas such as inheritance, pension rights, and parental responsibilities, highlighting a gap in the legal recognition of relationships.
The acceptance and implementation of same-sex marriage have brought substantial legal benefits, including inheritance rights, tax reductions, and enhanced health insurance options, which are pivotal for the security and well-being of families. This progress often results from shifting public attitudes and the dedicated efforts of human rights advocates.
Summary
Timeline of same-sex marriage
Recent & Upcoming Changes
Upcoming Changes
- LiechtensteinLegalJanuary 1
- Czech RepublicCivil unions (marriage rights)January 1
- LatviaCivil unions (limited rights)July 1
2024
2023
- IndiaUnregistered cohabitationOctober 17
- Hong KongCivil unions (marriage rights)September 5
- TuvaluBannedSeptember 5
- MaliBannedJuly 22
- UgandaBannedMay 29
- NamibiaForeign same-sex marriages recognized onlyMay 16
- AndorraLegalFebruary 17
- SurinameUnrecognizedFebruary 1
2022
- American SamoaForeign same-sex marriages recognized onlyDecember 13
- TamaulipasLegalOctober 26
- MexicoLegalOctober 26
- TabascoLegalOctober 19
- CubaLegalSeptember 26
- DurangoLegalSeptember 19
- SingaporeBannedAugust 21
- UkraineBannedAugust 2
- SloveniaLegalJuly 9
- IsraelForeign same-sex marriages recognized onlyJuly 7
- SwitzerlandLegalJuly 1
- VeracruzLegalJune 13
- LatviaCivil unions (limited rights)June 1
- ValparaísoLegalMarch 10
- ChileLegalMarch 10
Same-sex marriage by Country
Legal
Same-sex marriage is legal in 36 regions.
- Asia (1)
- Taiwan 2019
- Europe (21)
- Andorra 2023
- Austria 2019
- Belgium 2003
- Denmark 2012
- Estonia 2024
- Finland 2017
- France 2013
- Germany 2017
- Greece 2024
- Iceland 2010
- Ireland 2015
- Luxembourg 2015
- Malta 2017
- Netherlands 2001
- Norway 2009
- Portugal 2010
- Slovenia 2022
- Spain 2005
- Sweden 2009
- Switzerland 2022
- United Kingdom 2020
- Africa (1)
- South Africa 2006
Civil unions (marriage rights)
Same-sex marriage is civil unions (marriage rights) in 7 regions.
- South America (1)
- Bolivia 2020
Civil unions (limited rights)
Same-sex marriage is civil unions (limited rights) in 6 regions.
Foreign same-sex marriages recognized only
Same-sex marriage is foreign same-sex marriages recognized only in 7 regions.
- Asia (1)
- Israel 2022
- North America (4)
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Barbados 2018
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Africa (1)
- Namibia 2023
- South America (1)
- Peru 2006
Unregistered cohabitation
Same-sex marriage is unregistered cohabitation in 4 regions.
Unrecognized
Same-sex marriage is unrecognized in 53 regions.
- Asia (12)
- Bhutan 2004
- Iraq 2003
- Jordan
- Kazakhstan
- Laos 1990
- Lebanon
- Myanmar 1886
- North Korea
- Palestine 1994
- Philippines 1988
- Timor-Leste
- Vietnam 2013
- North America (9)
- Belize 2003
- Dominica
- Dominican Republic 1944
- El Salvador
- Grenada
- Guatemala 1995
- Nicaragua 1987
- Saint Lucia
- Trinidad and Tobago 1924
- Africa (18)
- Angola 2019
- Benin 1900
- Botswana 1964
- Cape Verde
- Comoros
- Côte d’Ivoire
- Djibouti
- Equatorial Guinea
- Gabon 1963
- Guinea-Bissau 1993
- Lesotho 1966
- Madagascar
- Mauritius
- Mozambique 2004
- Niger
- Republic of the Congo
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Seychelles
- South America (1)
- Suriname 2023
Banned
Same-sex marriage is banned in 81 regions.
- Asia (24)
- Afghanistan 1971
- Bahrain
- Bangladesh 1860
- Brunei 1951
- Indonesia
- Iran 1979
- Kuwait 1960
- Kyrgyzstan 1996
- Malaysia 1826
- Maldives
- Mongolia 1992
- Oman
- Pakistan 1958
- Qatar 1915
- Saudi Arabia 1932
- Singapore 2022
- South Korea 1948
- Sri Lanka 1885
- Syria 1949
- Tajikistan 2008
- Turkmenistan 1992
- United Arab Emirates 1987
- Uzbekistan 1994
- Yemen 1994
- Europe (11)
- Armenia 2004
- Belarus 1996
- Bulgaria 1991
- Georgia
- Lithuania 1992
- Moldova 1994
- Romania 2009
- Russia 2020
- Serbia 2006
- Ukraine 2022
- Vatican City 2020
- Africa (33)
- Algeria 1966
- Burkina Faso 1991
- Burundi 2005
- Cameroon 1967
- Central African Republic 2016
- Chad 2017
- Democratic Republic of the Congo 2006
- Egypt
- Eritrea 1957
- Eswatini
- Ethiopia 2009
- Gambia 2005
- Ghana 1960
- Guinea 1988
- Kenya 2010
- Liberia 1976
- Libya 1953
- Malawi
- Mauritania 1983
- Morocco
- Nigeria 2014
- Rwanda 2003
- Senegal 1966
- Sierra Leone 1861
- Somalia
- South Sudan 2011
- Sudan 1991
- Tanzania 1971
- Togo 1980
- Tunisia
- Uganda 2023
- Zambia 2010
- Zimbabwe 2013
No data, no laws, N/A, or ambiguous
Data on same-sex marriage is unclear, not applicable, or missing in 3 regions.
- Antarctica (1)
- Antarctica
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