Countries That Legalize Same-Sex Marriage: The Global Landscape of Marriage Equality

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court of India rejected same-sex marriage and instead sent the issue to the legislature for consideration. Three justices disagreed with the two judges who supported the freedom of homosexual couples to form civil unions. Early this year, in May, the judgment was reserved.

The majority of judges also disagreed that gay couples should be allowed to adopt, and they supported the CARA rules that bar gay and unmarried couples from adoption.

We examine the state of marriage equality throughout the globe as India’s fight for the legalization of same-sex unions takes on a new form with the creation of a committee at the top court’s request.

In 2001, the Netherlands became the first nation in the world to formally recognize same-sex unions. Since that time, the same-sex marriage has been legalized in around 34 nations (source: Marriage Equality Around the World).

We examine those that recognized same-sex marriage most recently in the last three years.

2023

Andorra
Andorra, a tiny nation situated between France and Spain, gave same-sex couples access to civil unions at the beginning of the year. On July 21, 2022, the legalization was decided upon and approved.

Estonia

A law legalizing same-sex marriage was approved by the Estonian parliament on June 20, 2023, and it will take effect on January 1, 2024.

2022 Cuba

Cubans approved a family code in September that had provisions allowing same-sex unions. The Family Code redefined children’s rights and allowed for the adoption of youngsters. Despite a significant government push in favor of the bill, the revisions encountered exceptionally fierce opposition from Cuba’s expanding evangelical community.

Slovenia

In July, a top court in Slovenia decided that limitations on same-sex couples getting wedded and adopting children were unconstitutional in the tiny European nation and ordered its government to modify the legislation within six months to ensure they may.

Mexico

Tamaulipas, a border state, became the last of Mexico’s 32 states to approve same-sex partnerships after legislators there passed a bill in favor of it in October. Although the same-sex marriage ban was found unconstitutional by the Mexican Supreme Court in 2015, certain states waited a while to pass legislation to implement the decision.

2021 Chile

A measure legalizing same-sex adoptions and promoting marital equality in Chile was approved by both chambers of Congress in December 2021. Following the Senate’s 21-8 vote and three abstentions, the Chamber of Deputies swiftly passed the motion with 82 votes in favor, 20 votes against, and two abstentions. After the voting in the chamber, numerous lawmakers embraced, even several from rival parties.

Switzerland

In 2021, Switzerland legalized same-sex unions and granted these couples the ability to adopt by a national ballot. The referendum was carried with almost a two-thirds majority of 64.1%

2020 Costa Rica

In May 2020, Costa Rica legalised same-sex marriage after a judgement from its Supreme Court removed the country’s prohibition.

Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, United Kingdom, United States of America, and Uruguay are additional nations that have legalized same-sex unions.