Oct 14 2009
Although many states in the United States voted to outlaw gay marriage, there are many places in the world where gays and lesbians can get married or obtain civil unions. Here are a list of places where same-sex couples can get legally married or enter in some kind of legally recognized partnership. This list will be updated as things change.Gay Marriage
- It is now legal for gays and lesbians to marry every place in Canada. There is no residency requirement for Canadian marriage, but that does not mean a Canadian gay marriage will be recognized by other countries.
How to Get Married in Canada
Canada
Europe
- Sweden became the seventh country to legalize same-sex marriage on April 1, 2009. Marriage licenses for same-sex couples became available beginning May 1, 2009. Couples who are currently in civil partnership can chose to keep that status or have it amended to marriage.
- Norway became the sixth country to legalize same-sex marriage on May 11, 2008.
- Netherlands (Holland) has full marriage and registered partnership rights for same sex or opposite sex couples.
- Belgium in 2003 became the second country in the world to allow gay and lesbian couples to marry. Since 2006, gay and lesbian couples have been allowed to adopt children.
- Spain voted in June 2005 to extend full marriage rights to gay and lesbian citizens. The measure adds one sentence to existing Spanish marriage law: Marriage will have the same requirements and results when the two people entering into the contract are of the same sex or of different sexes.
Africa
- South Africa legalized gay marriage on November 30th, 2006. South Africa has one of the most inclusive constitutions in the world, calling for equal rights for gays and lesbians.
The United States
In the United States gays and lesbians can legally marry in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, and Vermont. Maine passed a gay marriage bill, but voters will decide in November 2009 if that law will go into effect. On January 1, 2010, New Hampshire will recognize gay marriage.New York, California, Rhode Island, New Mexico and Washington, DC recognize marriages by same-sex couples legally performed elsewhere.
California
Where can gays and lesbians get civil unions or domestic partnerships?
