At-a-glance: Same sex marriage

12 Feb 2011, 1:50 pm   -   Source: SBS
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Since 2001, ten countries have legalised same sex marriage, affording full recognition and rights to couples entering into them. (Getty)

Since 2001, ten countries have legalised same sex marriage, affording full recognition and rights to couples entering into them. (Getty)

A quick overview of same sex unions around the world, where they are legal and what  restrictions are placed on them.

RELATED

Various countries and jurisdictions around the world have legally formalised same sex marriages, while others recognise the unions but do not allow instruments of the state to perform them.

FULL RECOGNITION

Since 2001, ten countries have legalised same sex marriage, affording full recognition and rights to couples entering into them. They are (in chronological order):

Netherlands (April 1, 2001)

Belgium (June 1, 2003)

Spain (July 3, 2005)

Canada (July 20, 2005)

South Africa (2006)

Norway (January 1, 2009)

Sweden (May 1, 2009)

Portugal (June 5, 2010)

Iceland (June 27, 2010)

Argentina (July 22, 2010)

Brazil (Oct 2011) - The country's appeals court ruled that two women with a civil union could be legally married.

LOCAL RECOGNITION

Several jurisdictions in the United States and elsewhere have also done so. They are:

US:

Massachusetts, USA (May 17, 2004)

Connecticut, USA (November 12, 2008)

Iowa, USA (April 3, 2009)

Vermont, USA (September 1, 2009)

District of Columbia, USA (December 18, 2009)

Coquille Tribe in Oregon, USA but not bound by state constitution (May, 2009)

New Hampshire, USA (January 1, 2010)

New York, USA (July 24, 2011)

Washington state - passed, not yet active. (February 2012)

Others:

Mexico City, Mexico (December 21, 2009)

RECOGNITION

Six other nations recognise same sex marriages, but do not perform them. They are:

Aruba (Netherlands)

Curacao (Netherlands)

Israel

Mexico (same sex marriages can only be performed in Mexico City, but must be recognised by all 31 states)

Saint Maarten (Netherlands)

California, USA*

Maryland, USA

CALIFORNIA

The history of same sex marriages in California is stormy, and has resulted in a status that is unique among the state's 50 counterparts.

In June 2008, an equal protection ruling by California's Supreme Court okayed marriage licenses for gay couples, but on November 5 of the same year, a constitutional amendment known as Proposition 8 was passed, disallowing them.

Marriages formed during the period the licenses were legal remained fully recognised, while those wedded afterwards retained all rights except to the term 'marriage'.

Two years later, federal judge Vaughn Walker declared Proposition 8 unconstitutional, but stayed his ruling. Supporters and opponents submitted legal briefs to the judge on a long-term stay of his ruling.

On August 16, 2010 The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals granted the motion to stay, with the issue now pending another ballot initiative in 2012.

CIVIL UNIONS

The following jurisdictions grant marriage-like rights to people of the same gender who are in civil unions or registered partnerships, but only some of them also allow such unions to be performed by the state.

Andorra

Austria

Colombia

Czech Republic

Denmark

Ecuador

Finland

France (New Caledonia, Wallis and Futuna)

Germany

Greenland

Hungary

Ireland

Isle of Man

Luxembourg

New Zealand

Slovenia

Switzerland

United Kingdom

Uruguay

CHURCH SERVICES IN THE UK

Though same sax marriage is not legal in the UK, civil partnership ceremonies may soon be performed in churches - according to information published by the BBC.

British Equalities Minister Lynne Featherstone was expected to lift the ban on same sex couples using religious settings in England and Wales, the BBC reported.

However, religious organisations would not be compelled to allow their premises to be used, with the Church of England already saying it would refuse use of them to same sex couples before the ban was lifted.

PERFORMING CIVIL UNIONS

These jurisdictions allow state officials to perform civil unions:

Australia: ACT, NSW, Tasmania, Victoria

Mexico: Coahuila

USA: California, Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, New Jersey, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Wisconsin

Venezuela: Merida

UNREGISTERED COHABITATION

Countries granting rights to same sex couples living in unregistered de facto relationships:

Australia

Brazil

Croatia

Israel

USA (Maryland, Rhode Island)

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Your Comments

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21th Century Morality

Liam - from Maitland, 2 months ago

How about we fully transition into a progressive zeitgeist instead of relying on ridiculous arguments that rely on non sequiturs and pernicious comparisons to bestiality and incest? Did the definition of marriage change to accommodate interracial couples, even though it was illegal? Evidently. Ultimately, the queer community will gain equal rights and you'll still be living in a festering pile of discrimination.

marriage

pete - from perth, 3 months ago

NO to gays you cant have what you want just because you want it!. marriage has been our heterosexual tradition for ever and no we are not going to change the rules just for you. complain as much as you want, we are against it.

Love from a Hetro

Harry - from Maylands, WA, 3 months ago

Hi folks, I'll be glad when gay people can live comfortably in society without feeling marginalised or disadvantaged. I wish I didn't get the feeling that religious piety was eroding freedom of choice.

Mr

Lawrence - from Epping, 3 months ago

The first principle of the instituition of marriage is reproduction. That is possible only between a man and a woman so far. The day the so called same sex marriage results in reproduction, then I will be the first person to support SSM. Until then let us not insult the sanctity of the marriage that facilitates reproduction and dare not go down in history as a generation that lost its plot and confused with the morals of the Laws of Nature. Let (them) unite (not marry) for legal protection.

Marriage

Kevin - from Traralgon, 3 months ago

We have become so politically correct here in Australia it's rediculous the next bill they will be putting to parliment will be for people to be able to legally marry their pets. I am not religious but what right do these people have to change the institution of marriage it was invented by the churches so we shouldn't try to change it. This bill is a load of crap not only should same sex marriage not go ahead but I am also against even formally reconizing their de facto relationships.

Different things have different names

Husband - from Sydney, 3 months ago

Different things different names it's not unfair, it's not unequal. No gay couple has children without involving a third person. Most married couples do. So the parents cannot say they have an equal connection to the kids. Unless you say that marriage has nothing to do with kids or that biological parents have no rights or connection to their kids then it's a different relationship. This issue is not about love or equality they are just a smokescreen,

Marriage equality explained

mike j - from , 3 months ago

Marriage Equality is when everyone has the same rights to marry. Currently, everyone has the same right to marry someone of the opposite sex. Therefore, gays have marriage equality. What they are asking for (read: demanding) is an expansion of the definition of marriage. This is not an issue of 'equality', it is an issue of social recognition, and you can't 'demand' social recognition. So stop misusing the term 'marriage equality' to guilt stupid people into riding the gay marriage wahbulance.

Marriage means what it means

Peter - from QLD, 3 months ago

Marriage was defined well before we were all alive... Let it mean what it means...and let homosexual people come up with their own title of union

Setting a dangerous precedent

Matt - from Brisbane, 9 months ago

Equal love, rights. Oh dear, you here it over and over. Tell me, is then okay for people to marry their pet, because the two are in a loving relationship? Or marry their family member, because they should have the same rights as everyone else? Wake up Australia, political/media correctness will eat this country away!!

Not a religious argument

Andrew - from Melbourne, 9 months ago

This may come as a shock, but for a large number of people marriage has nothing to do with religion. Look at the growing number of people being married by non faith celebrants. Using the argument of long standing traditions is just narrow minded bigotry and homophobia dressed up as "moral concern". (message from a heterosexual)

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