Comparative Law: Ten Years of Same-Sex Marriage

This past Friday marked the 10th anniversary of the world's first same-sex marriages, which took place in the Netherlands on April 1, 2001. Since then, almost 15,000 same-sex couples have married in the Netherlands.

Same-sex marriage is now legal in the following 12 countries:

• Argentina,
• Belgium,
• Canada,
• Iceland,
• the Netherlands,
• Norway,
• Portugal,
• South Africa,
• Spain, and
• Sweden.

Additionally, Israel will recognize lawful same-sex marriages performed in other countries even though same-sex marriage is not presently allowed under Israeli law.  And in Mexico, where same-sex marriages are lawful in the Federal District, a Supreme Court ruling requires all other Mexican states to recognize those marriages.

Five U.S. states and the District of Columbia recognize same-sex marriage in the United States.  Other states also provide for civil unions -- Illinois, for example, will allow civil unions starting on June 1.

For more information, click here. 

Hat tip to Rex Wockner

(mew)