View source for Social:Legal status of same-sex marriage

{{short description|Overview of the legal status of same-sex marriage}}


The '''legal status of same-sex marriage''' has changed in recent years in numerous jurisdictions around the world. The current trends and consensus of political authorities and religions throughout the world are summarized in this article.


==World map overview==

==Civil recognition==

===Global summary===
[[Social:Same-sex marriage|Same-sex marriage]] is legal in the following countries:

{| class="wikitable sortable"
! {{Abbr|#|Legalisation Order}}
! Country
! Legalization method
! Date of nationwide legalization
! Notes
|-
| align="center" | 1
| {{flagicon|Netherlands}} Netherlands
| Passed by the States General
| align="right"  | 1 April 2001 
| Legalized in the special municipalities of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba in 2012. Not legal in the constituent countries of Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten.
|-
| align="center" | 2
| {{flagicon|Belgium}} Belgium
| Passed by the Belgian Federal Parliament
| align="right"  | 1 June 2003
| 
|-
| align="center" | 3
| {{flagicon|Spain}} Spain
| Passed by the {{Lang|es|Cortes Generales|italic=no}}
| align="right"  | 3 July 2005
| 
|-
| align="center" | 4
| {{flagicon|Canada}} Canada
| Passed by the Parliament of Canada
| align="right"  | 20 July 2005
| Legal in some provinces and territories since 2003.
|-
| align="center" | 5
| {{flagicon|South Africa}} South Africa
| Passed by the Parliament of South Africa
| align="right"  | 30 November 2006
| 
|-
| align="center" | 6
| {{flagicon|Norway}} Norway
| Passed by the Storting
| align="right"  | 1 January 2009
| 
|-
| align="center" | 7
| {{flagicon|Sweden}} Sweden
| Passed by the Riksdag
| align="right"  | 1 May 2009
| 
|-
| align="center" | 8
| {{flagicon|Portugal}} Portugal
| Passed by the Assembly of the Republic
| align="right"  | 5 June 2010
| 
|-
| align="center" | 9
| {{flagicon|Iceland}} Iceland
| Passed by the Althing
| align="right"  | 27 June 2010
| 
|-
| align="center" | 10
| {{flagicon|Argentina}} Argentina
| Passed by the Congress of the Argentine Nation
| align="right"  | 22 July 2010
| 
|-
| align="center" | 11
| {{flagicon|Denmark}} Denmark
| Passed by the Folketing
| align="right"  | 15 June 2012 
| Legalized in the constituent countries of Greenland in 2016 and Faroe Islands in 2017.
|-
| align="center" | 12
| {{flagicon|Brazil}} Brazil
| Ruling of the National Justice Council
| align="right"  | 16 May 2013
| Legal in some states since 2011.
|-
| align="center" | 13
| {{flagicon|France}} France
| Passed by the French Parliament
| align="right"  | 18 May 2013
| 
|-
| align="center" | 14
| {{flagicon|Uruguay}} Uruguay
| Passed by the General Assembly of Uruguay
| align="right"  | 5 August 2013
| 
|-
| align="center" | 15
| {{flagicon|New Zealand}} New Zealand
| Passed by the New Zealand House of Representatives
| align="right"  | 19 August 2013
| Excluding the territory of Tokelau. Not legal in associated states of Niue and the Cook Islands.
|-
| align="center" | 16
| {{flagicon|Luxembourg}} Luxembourg
| Passed by the Chamber of Deputies
| align="right"  | 1 January 2015
| 
|-
| align="center" | 17
| {{flagicon|United States}} United States
| Ruling of the Supreme Court of the United States{{efn|Passed by the United States Congress on 13 December 2022}}
| align="right"  | 26 June 2015 
| Legal in some states since 2004. Not legal in some sovereign reservations and recognized in American Samoa.
|-
| align="center" | 18
| {{flagicon|Ireland}} Ireland
| Approved by referendum and passed by the Oireachtas
| align="right"  | 16 November 2015
| 
|-
| align="center" | 19
| {{flagicon|Colombia}} Colombia
| Ruling of the Constitutional Court of Colombia
| align="right"  | 28 April 2016
| 
|-
| align="center" | 20
| {{flagicon|Finland}} Finland
| Passed by the Eduskunta
| align="right"  | 1 March 2017
| 
|-
| align="center" | 21
| {{flagicon|Malta}} Malta
| Passed by the Parliament of Malta
| align="right"  | 1 September 2017
| 
|-
| align="center" | 22
| {{flagicon|Germany}} Germany
| Passed by the Bundestag and the Bundesrat
| align="right"  | 1 October 2017
| 
|-
| align="center" | 23
| {{flagicon|Australia}} Australia
| Approved by [[Social:Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey|survey]] and passed by the Parliament of Australia
| align="right"  | 9 December 2017
| 
|-
| align="center" | 24
| {{flagicon|Austria}} Austria
| Ruling of the Constitutional Court of Austria
| align="right"  | 1 January 2019
| 
|-
| align="center" | 25
| {{flagicon|Taiwan}} Taiwan
| Passed by the Legislative Yuan after ruling of the Constitutional Court of Taiwan
| align="right"  | 24 May 2019
| 
|-
| align="center" | 26
| {{flagicon|Ecuador}} Ecuador
| Ruling of the Constitutional Court of Ecuador
| align="right"  | 8 July 2019
| 
|-
| align="center" | 27
| {{nowrap|{{flagicon|United Kingdom}} United Kingdom}}
| Passed by the Parliament of the United Kingdom and the Scottish Parliament
| align="right"  | 13 January 2020 
| Legal in England, Wales and Scotland since 2014. Legal in Northern Ireland since 2020. Legal in most British Overseas Territories except in the Caribbean territories.
|-
| align="center" | 28
| {{flagicon|Costa Rica}} Costa Rica
| Ruling of the Supreme Court of Costa Rica
| align="right"  | 26 May 2020
| 
|-
| align="center" | 29
| {{flagicon|Chile}} Chile
| Passed by the National Congress of Chile
| align="right"  | 10 March 2022
| 
|-
| align="center" | 30
| {{flagicon|Switzerland}} Switzerland
| Passed by the Federal Assembly of Switzerland and adopted in a referendum
| align="right"  | 1 July 2022
| 
|-
| align="center" | 31
| {{flagicon|Slovenia}} Slovenia
| Ruling of the Constitutional Court of Slovenia{{efn|Passed by the Slovenian Parliament on 4 October 2022}}
| align="right"  | 9 July 2022
| 
|-
| align="center" | 32
| {{flagicon|Cuba}} Cuba
| Passed by the National Assembly of People's Power and adopted in a referendum
| align="right"  | 27 September 2022
| 
|-
| align="center" | 33
| {{flagicon|Mexico}} Mexico
| A combination of executive decrees, legislative measures, and judicial rulings
| align="right"  | 31 December 2022
| Legal in Mexico City since 2010 and some states since 2012.
|-
| align="center" | 34
| {{flagicon|Andorra}} Andorra
| Passed by the General Council
| align="right"  | 17 February 2023
|
|- 
<!--| align="center" | -
| {{flagicon|Nepal}} Nepal
| Interim order of a single-judge bench of the Supreme Court of Nepal
| align="right"  | 29 November 2023
| Unclear if marriage rights are available nationwide.-->
|-
| align="center" | 35
| {{flagicon|Estonia}} Estonia
| Passed by the Riigikogu
| align="right"  | 1 January 2024
|
|-
|}

====Opinion polls====
{{notelist}}

===Africa===
South Africa is the only African country that legally recognizes same-sex marriage.<ref>{{cite news |last=Rakhetsi |first=Aaron |date=25 February 2021 |title=5 Countries in Africa That Have Legalized Same-Sex Relationships in the Past 10 Years |url=https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/countries-legalized-same-sex-relationships-africa/ |access-date=27 September 2022 |website=Global Citizen |quote=In 2006, South Africa became the first and remains the only African country to legalize same-sex marriage, with a constitution that also protects against discrimination based on sexual orientation. |language=en}}</ref>

[[File:African homosexuality laws.svg|thumb|250px|'''Same-sex sexual activity legal'''
{{legend|#002255|Same-sex marriage}}
<!-- {{legend|#0066FF|Other type of partnership (or unregistered cohabitation)}} -->
<!-- {{legend|#5599FF|Foreign same-sex marriages recognized}} -->
{{legend|#CAF|Limited recognition (foreign residency rights)}}
{{legend|#cccccc|No recognition of same-sex couples}}
'''Same-sex sexual activity illegal'''
{{legend|#f9dc36|Prison but not enforced}}
{{legend|#ec8028|Prison}}
{{leftlegend|#cc6633|Death penalty on books but not enforced}}
{{leftlegend|#800000|Enforced death penalty}}]]

====South Africa====
In December 2005, in the case of ''Minister of Home Affairs v Fourie'', the Constitutional Court of South Africa ruled unanimously that bans on same-sex marriage were unconstitutional. The Court gave Parliament one year to change the laws, or same-sex marriage would be legalized by default.

In November 2006, Parliament passed the [[Social:Civil Union Act, 2006|Civil Union Act]], under which both same-sex and opposite-sex couples may contract unions. A union under the Civil Union Act may, at the choice of the spouses, be called either a marriage or a civil partnership; whichever name is chosen, the legal effect is identical to that of a traditional marriage under the Marriage Act. Both religious and civil officials may refuse to perform same-sex marriages.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nbcnews.com/id/15714036|title=South Africa to legalize gay marriage|date=14 November 2006|publisher=NBC News|agency=Associated Press|access-date=11 April 2017}}</ref>

====Namibia====
In May 2023, the Supreme Court of Namibia ruled in favor of recognizing same-sex marriages performed in other jurisdictions.<ref>{{cite news |title=Namibia's top court recognises same-sex marriages formed elsewhere |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/namibias-top-court-recognises-same-sex-marriages-formed-elsewhere-2023-05-16/ |access-date=12 June 2023 |work=Reuters |agency=Reuters |publisher=Thomson Reuters Corporation |date=16 May 2023}}</ref>

===Americas===

====Argentina====
On 22 July 2010, Argentina became the first country in Latin America to legalise same-sex marriage. The law also allows same-sex couples to adopt.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10630683 | work=BBC News | title=Argentine Senate backs bill legalising gay marriage | date=15 July 2010}}</ref> And in many jurisdictions, including the city of [[Place:Buenos Aires|Buenos Aires]], it is also legal for non-residents and tourists.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://jurist.org/paperchase/2012/05/argentina-district-recognizes-same-sex-marriage-for-foreigners-tourists.php | work=jurist.org | title=Argentina capital recognizes same-sex marriage for tourists | date=21 May 2012}}</ref>

====Brazil====
On 25 October 2011, Brazil's Supreme Court of Justice ruled that two women can enter into civil marriage under the current law, thus overturning the decision of two lower court's ruling against the women.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.suntimes.com/news/world/8419812-418/brazil-appellate-court-says-gay-marriage-is-legal.html |title=Brazil appellate court says gay marriage is legal |date=25 October 2011 |publisher=Chicago Sun-Times}}</ref> Following this ruling, a growing number of courts of Brazilian states, such as the most populous state of São Paulo, implemented directives which allowed for same-sex civil marriages in the same manner as other marriages.

Same-sex couples can currently have registered partnerships and full rights to adopt children in all states, and same-sex marriages based on court orders have occurred in several states in individual cases.

On 14 May 2013, Brazil's National Justice Council (CNJ) ruled in favor of recognizing same-sex marriage nationwide.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://g1.globo.com/politica/noticia/2013/05/apos-uniao-estavel-gay-podera-casar-em-cartorio-decide-cnj.html | title=Decisão do CNJ obriga cartórios a fazer casamento homossexual |date=14 May 2013 |publisher=G1}}</ref>

====Canada====
In Canada between 2003 and 2005, court rulings in Ontario, British Columbia, Quebec, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan, Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, and [[Earth:Yukon|Yukon]] ruled the prohibition of same-sex marriage to be contrary to the Charter of Rights, thus legalizing it in those jurisdictions (which covered 90% of the population). In response to these rulings, the governing Liberal party minority government introduced legislation to allow same-sex couples to marry. On 20 July 2005, the Canadian Parliament passed the ''[[Social:Civil Marriage Act|Civil Marriage Act]]'', defining marriage nationwide as "the lawful union of two persons to the exclusion of all others." This was challenged on 7 December 2006 by a motion tabled by the newly elected [[Finance:Conservative Party of Canada|Conservative party]], asking the government to introduce amendments to the ''Marriage Act'' to restrict marriage to opposite-sex couples; it was defeated in the House of Commons by a vote of 175 to 123.

Canada does not have a residency requirement for marriage; consequently, many foreign couples have gone to Canada to marry, regardless of whether that marriage will be recognized in their home country. In fact, in some cases, a Canadian marriage has provided the basis for a challenge to the laws of another country, with cases in Ireland and Israel. The plaintiff in the case of ''United States v. Windsor'', which challenged the Defense of Marriage Act, wed her wife in Ontario.

Since 11 November 2004, the Canadian federal government's immigration department, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC), considers same-sex marriages performed in Canada valid for the purposes of sponsoring a spouse to immigrate.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/sponsor/index.html |title=CIC Canada &#124; Sponsor a Family Member |access-date=6 June 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060529211109/http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/sponsor/index.html |archive-date=29 May 2006 }}</ref> Canadian immigration authorities previously considered long-term, same-sex relationships to be equivalent to similar heterosexual relationships as grounds for sponsorship.{{citation needed|date=September 2011}}

====Colombia====
The Colombian Constitutional Court ruled in February 2007 that same-sex couples are entitled to the same inheritance rights as heterosexuals in common-law marriages. This ruling made Colombia the first South American nation to legally recognize same-sex couples. In January 2009, the Court ruled that same-sex couples must be granted all rights offered to cohabiting heterosexual couples.<ref>[http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-10938.html Colombian court confirms equal rights for same-sex couples], Pink News, 29 January 2009</ref> On 26 July 2011, the Court ordered the Congress to pass legislation giving same-sex couples similar rights to marriage within two years (by 20 June 2013). The law was defeated.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.washingtonblade.com/2014/05/27/colombia-president-backs-sex-marriage/|title=Colombia president backs same-sex marriage|work=Washington Blade: Gay News, Politics, LGBT Rights|date=27 May 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://english.corteconstitucional.gov.co/sentences/C-577-2011.pdf |title=DECISION C-577/11 The homosexuals have the right to form a family |access-date=2 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190429010946/http://english.corteconstitucional.gov.co/sentences/C-577-2011.pdf |archive-date=29 April 2019 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/americas/07/27/colombia.gay.marriage/|work=CNN| title=Colombian court says Congress must decide on gay marriage|date=27 July 2011}}</ref> In April 2016, the Colombian Constitutional Court voted 6–3 to allow same-sex marriage, with the ruling taking effect immediately.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.advocate.com/world/2016/4/07/marriage-equality-comes-colombia|title=Marriage Equality Comes to Colombia|date=7 April 2016}}</ref>

In 2015, the Colombian Constitutional Court ruled that same-sex couples could adopt children.

====Costa Rica====
In 2016 the government motioned at the Inter-American Court of Human Rights to pass judgement over the rights of same-sex couples. The Court agreed and in 2018 the Court's binding sentence was that Costa Rica (and presumably all the other member states of the Pact of San José) was required to provide same rights to same-sex couples that heterosexual couples enjoy including marriage.<ref name="IACHR">{{cite news |date=9 January 2018 |title=Inter-American Court endorses same-sex marriage |url=https://www.france24.com/en/20180109-inter-american-court-endorses-same-sex-marriage |access-date=9 January 2018 |work=France 24 |agency=Agence France-Presse}}</ref> Costa Rica's Constitutional Court subsequently ruled that same-sex couples must be allowed to marry, and gave the government a deadline of 26 May 2020, to make legislative changes. As the deadline lapsed without legislative action, same-sex couples were allowed to marry starting 26 May 2020.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Cordoba |first=Javier |date=26 May 2020 |title=Costa Rica latest country to legalize same-sex marriage |url=https://apnews.com/article/a53bec31c16bc642bae0c7b106e88400 |access-date=26 May 2020 |publisher=Associated Press}}</ref>

====Cuba====
Same-sex marriage has been legal in Cuba since 27 September 2022, after a majority of voters approved the legalization of [[Social:Same-sex marriage|same-sex marriage]] at a referendum two days prior.<ref name=":0" /> The Constitution of Cuba prohibited same-sex marriage until 2019, and in May 2019 the government announced plans to legalize same-sex marriage.<ref name=":1" /> A draft family code containing provisions allowing same-sex couples to marry and adopt was approved by the National Assembly of People's Power on 21 December 2021.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/spa/cuba-matrimonio_cuba-aprueba-el-c%C3%B3digo-de-familias-y-avanza-hacia-el-matrimonio-igualitario/47210034|title=Cuba aprueba el Código de Familias y avanza hacia el matrimonio igualitario|work=Swissinfo|agency=EFE|language=es|date=22 December 2021|location=Havana|access-date=16 January 2022|archive-date=16 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220116171814/https://www.swissinfo.ch/spa/cuba-matrimonio_cuba-aprueba-el-c%C3%B3digo-de-familias-y-avanza-hacia-el-matrimonio-igualitario/47210034|url-status=live}}</ref> The text was under public consultation until 6 June 2022, and was approved by the Assembly on 22 July 2022.<ref name=AssemblyJuly2022>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/cuba-approves-law-change-that-opens-door-gay-marriage-other-family-rights-2022-07-22/|date=23 July 2022|publisher={{wipe|Reuters}}|last=Acosta|first=Nelson|title=Cuba approves law change that opens door to gay marriage, other family rights|access-date=22 July 2022|archive-date=1 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220801152631/https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/cuba-approves-law-change-that-opens-door-gay-marriage-other-family-rights-2022-07-22/|url-status=live}}</ref> The measure was approved by two-thirds of voters in a referendum held on 25 September 2022.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Frank |first=Marc |date=27 September 2022 |title=Cubans approve gay marriage by large margin in referendum |language=en |publisher={{wipe|Reuters}} |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/cubans-approve-gay-marriage-by-large-margin-referendum-2022-09-26/ |access-date=12 October 2022}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite news |date=26 September 2022 |title=Cuba Family Code: Country votes to legalise same-sex marriage |language=en-GB |publisher=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-63035426 |access-date=26 September 2022 |archive-date=26 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220926134042/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-63035426 |url-status=live }}</ref> President Miguel Díaz-Canel signed the new family code into law on 26 September,<ref name=":3">{{Cite tweet|user=presidenciacuba|number=1574495580239413253 |access-date=27 September 2022 |title=En acto oficial, el Presidente de @AsambleaCuba, Esteban Lazo Hernández, y el Presidente de la República, @DiazCanelB, firmaron y refrendaron la nueva Ley del #CódigoDeLasFamilias, luego de la victoria en el Referendo Popular. #ElAmorYaEsLey |language=es |archive-date=27 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220927202519/https://twitter.com/presidenciacuba/status/1574495580239413253 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>[https://www.granma.cu/codigo-de-las-familias/2022-09-27/gano-el-si-se-ha-hecho-justicia-27-09-2022-02-09-39 Gramma.cu: Ganó el Sí, se ha hecho justicia], 27 September 2022</ref> and it took effect upon publication in the ''Official Gazette'' the following day.<ref name=gazette>{{cite web |url=https://www.gacetaoficial.gob.cu/sites/default/files/goc-2022-o99.pdf |title=Ley No. 156 "Código de las Familias" |date=27 September 2022 |accessdate=27 September 2022 |work=Gaceta Oficial de la República de Cuba |language=es}}</ref>

Cuba was the first independent nation in the Caribbean, the eighth country in Latin America,{{efn|After Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Uruguay}} the first [[Social:Communist state|communist state]], the first of the former Eastern Bloc (excluding East Germany and Slovenia){{efn|Even though Yugoslavia, and therefore Slovenia, was not a member of the Comecon or the [[Organization:Warsaw Pact|Warsaw Pact]], having parted with the [[Place:Soviet Union|Soviet Union]] in the 1948 Tito–Stalin split, some sources consider it to be a member of the Eastern Bloc.<ref>{{Citation |last1=Hirsch |first1=Donald |first2=Joseph F. |last2=Kett |first3=James S. |last3=Trefil |title=The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy |publisher=Houghton Mifflin Harcourt |year=2002 |isbn=978-0-618-22647-4 |page=[https://archive.org/details/newdictionaryofc00hirs/page/316 316] |quote=Eastern Bloc. The name applied to the former communist states of eastern Europe, including Yugoslavia and Albania, as well as the countries of the Warsaw Pact |url=https://archive.org/details/newdictionaryofc00hirs/page/316}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |last1=Teichova |first1=Alice |first2=Matis |last2=Herbert |title=Nation, state, and the economy in history |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=2003 |isbn=978-0-521-79278-3 |page=150 |quote=Within the Eastern Bloc, Poland, Yugoslavia and Hungary tended to be reformist and deviated most from the rigid Soviet model}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |last=Cook |first=Bernard A. |title=Europe Since 1945: An Encyclopedia |publisher=Taylor & Francis |year=2001 |isbn=978-0-8153-4057-7 |page=897 |quote=In the Eastern Bloc, only Yugoslavia, alongside efforts to eradicate or at least degrade previously existing nationalisms, made the gallant attempt to both foster a new nationalism and a new identify, that of being a Yugoslav.}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |last1=Ahonen |first1=Pertti |title=After the Expulsion: West Germany and Eastern Europe, 1945–1990 |publisher=[[Organization:Oxford University Press|Oxford University Press]] |year=2003 |page=212 |quote=The other Eastern bloc states – except Romania's fellow mavericks Albania and Yugoslavia – reacted to the breakthrough between Bonn and Bucharest by coordinating their own stances towards the Federal Republic.}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |last1=White |first1=N. D. |title=The United Nations and the maintenance of international peace and security |publisher=Manchester University Press |year=1990 |isbn=978-0-7190-3227-1 |page=183 |quote=Nevertheless, the Eastern Bloc countries, including Albania, Bulgaria and Yugoslavia, argued that UNSCOB had been constituted illegally}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |last1=Library of Congress |title=The Quarterly journal of the Library of Congress |publisher=Library of Congress |year=1980 |volume=37 |quote=80 Yugoslavia is perhaps the most international of the Eastern Bloc countries.}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |last1=Ryan |first1=James |first2=Hana |last2=Mastrini |first3=Mark |last3=Baker |title=Eastern Europe |publisher=John Wiley and Sons |year=2009 |isbn=978-0-470-39908-8 |page=[https://archive.org/details/frommerseasterne00bake_0/page/651 651] |quote=Tito played his cards right and – unlike other Eastern Bloc countries – Yugoslavia enjoyed a fairly open relationship with the rest of the world |url=https://archive.org/details/frommerseasterne00bake_0/page/651}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |last1=Stanilov |first1=Kiril |title=The post-socialist city: urban form and space transformations in Central and Eastern Europe after socialism |publisher=Springer |year=2007 |isbn=978-1-4020-6052-6 |page=362 |quote=During the socialist period, Yugoslavia was marked by a system of socialist self-management, which place greater importance not he development of market-type relations in the economy than any of the other socialist countries of Europe. This strategy was a significant factor in achieving a higher [[Finance:Standard of living|standard of living]] and a lower level of under-urbanization compared to other members of the Eastern Bloc.}}</ref>}} and the 32nd country worldwide to legalize same-sex marriage.

====Ecuador====

====Mexico====
Same-sex marriage has been legalized in all states of Mexico and in Mexico City. Since August 2010, same-sex marriages performed within Mexico are recognized by all 31 states without exception.

On 9 November 2006, Mexico City's unicameral Legislative Assembly passed and approved (43–17) a bill legalizing same-sex civil unions, under the name ''Ley de Sociedades de Convivencia'' (Law for Co-existence Partnerships), which became effective on 16 March 2007.<ref>{{cite web |author=Erich Adolfo Moncada Cota |title=Mexico City Approves Same Sex Unions |date=19 November 2006 |url=http://english.ohmynews.com/articleview/article_view.asp?menu=c10400&no=329768&rel_no=1 |access-date=9 December 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091120061120/http://english.ohmynews.com/articleview/article_view.asp?menu=c10400&no=329768&rel_no=1 |archive-date=20 November 2009}}</ref> The law recognizes property and [[Social:Inheritance|inheritance]] rights to same-sex couples. On 11 January 2007, the northern state of Coahuila, which borders Texas, passed a similar bill (20–13), under the name ''Pacto Civil de Solidaridad'' (Civil Pact of Solidarity).<ref name="PCS"/> Unlike Mexico City's law, once same-sex couples have registered in Coahuila, the state protects their rights no matter where they live in the country.<ref name="PCS">{{cite web |author=S. Lynne Walker |publisher=Mail & Guardian Online |title=New law propels gay rights in Mexico |date=5 March 2007 |url=http://legacy.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20070305/news_1n5gaylaw.html |access-date=15 December 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719114446/http://legacy.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20070305/news_1n5gaylaw.html |archive-date=19 July 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Twenty days after the law had passed, the country's first same-sex civil union took place in Saltillo, Coahuila.<ref>{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |publisher=Gay.com UK & Ireland |title=Mexico's first civil union |date=1 February 2007 |url=http://uk.gay.com/headlines/10984  |access-date=15 December 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070530011312/http://uk.gay.com/headlines/10984 |archive-date=30 May 2007}}</ref>

On 21 December 2009, Mexico City's Legislative Assembly legalized (39–20) same-sex marriages and adoption by same-sex couples.<ref>{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |title=Mexico City 1st in region to approve gay marriage |date=21 December 2009 |url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5grJesfflOb0tjV_flyYRem81BVMwD9CNUCH00 |access-date=21 December 2009}}</ref> Eight days later, the law was enacted and became effective in March 2010.<ref>{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |publisher=NBC News |title=Mexico City's gay marriage law takes effect |date=4 March 2010 |url=http://www.nbcnews.com/id/35714490 |access-date=6 March 2010}}</ref>

Since then, Mexican states have been legalising same-sex marriage one by one, via a combination of gubernatorial decrees, legislative measures, and judicial rulings. Most recently, on 26 October 2022, the Congress of Tamaulipas approved same-sex marriage, making it the final jurisdiction in the country to do so.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Aprueban matrimonio igualitario en todo México |url=https://www.milenio.com/estados/aprueban-matrimonio-igualitario-en-todo-mexico |access-date=26 October 2022 |work=Milenio |language=es-MX}}</ref>

====United States====
On 26 June 2015, the US Supreme Court ruled that same-sex marriage is a constitutional right under the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, thereby making same-sex marriage legal throughout the United States.<ref>{{cite court|url=https://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/pdf/14-556.pdf|litigants=James Obergefell, et al., Petitioners v. Richard Hodges, Director, Ohio Department of Health, et al.|court=Supreme Court of the United States|reporter=U.S.|vol=576|opinion=14-556|date=26 June 2015}}</ref>

Prior to 26 June 2015, same-sex marriages were legal in the District of Columbia, Guam, and thirty-six states.

In 2005, California became the first state to pass a bill authorizing same-sex marriages without a court order, but this bill was vetoed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. In 2008, the Supreme Court of California overturned a 2000 law banning same-sex marriages.<ref name="mercury_mintz">{{cite news |url=http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_9269719|title=California Supreme Court legalizes same-sex marriage|last=Mintz|first=Howard|date=15 May 2008|publisher=Mercury News|access-date=15 May 2008}}</ref> The legal effect of the court ruling was curtailed by another voter initiative called Proposition 8 later that year.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/elections_j.htm#2008General |title=California ballot initiatives (Nr.1298) |publisher=Sos.ca.gov |date=2 November 2010 |access-date=2 December 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090617213215/http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/elections_j.htm#2008General |archive-date=17 June 2009 }}</ref> Proposition 8 was upheld by the California Supreme Court in 2009, holding that same-sex couples have all the rights of heterosexual couples, except the right to the "designation" of marriage.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/opinions/archive/S168047.PDF |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100121235259/http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/opinions/archive/S168047.PDF |url-status=dead |archive-date=21 January 2010 |title=Opinions |website=courtinfo.ca.gov }} – For a review see: Thomas Kupka, Names and Designations in Law, in: [http://www.jurisprudence.com.au/juris6/kupka.pdf ''The Journal Jurisprudence'' 6 (2010) 121–130] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706105542/http://www.jurisprudence.com.au/juris6/kupka.pdf |date=6 July 2011 }} (PDF)</ref> On 26 June 2013, the Supreme Court ruled in Hollingsworth v. Perry that Proposition 8 was unconstitutional, allowing same-sex marriages to resume in California.

=====Federal recognition=====
In 1996, the U.S. Congress passed the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). Section 2 of DOMA defined marriage as a union between a man and a woman, and its purpose was to enable states to deny recognition of same-sex marriages performed in other states.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/law/gay_marriage/act.html |title=Online NewsHour: The Battle Over Same Sex Marriage – The Defense of Marriage Act |publisher=Pbs.org |access-date=2 December 2013 |archive-date=9 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109001618/http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/law/gay_marriage/act.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> Section 3 of DOMA also denied federal recognition to same-sex couples who were legally married under state law.

On 26 June 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court declared Section 3 of DOMA to be unconstitutional in ''United States v. Windsor''. The court said that the provision was "a deprivation of the equal liberty of persons that is protected by the Fifth Amendment."<ref name="Opinion">{{cite court|url=https://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/pdf/12-307.pdf |litigants=United States, Petitioner v. Edith Schlain Windsor, in Her Capacity as Executor of the Estate of Thea Clara Spyer, et al. |court=Supreme Court of the United States |reporter=U.S. |vol=570 |opinion=12-307 |date=26 June 2013 }}</ref> With this ruling the federal government recognized same-sex marriages performed by states that allowed same-sex marriage. It also affected several federal rights, including enabling a U.S. citizen to petition a same-sex spouse for immigration.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://firstread.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/06/26/19153847-doma-decision-a-win-for-lgbt-immigration-rights-advocates?lite |title=DOMA decision a win for LGBT immigration rights advocates – First Read |publisher=Firstread.nbcnews.com |access-date=2 November 2013}}</ref> The Court in the ''United States v. Windsor'' case did not, however, address the constitutionality of DOMA Section 2, which allowed a state to deny recognition of same-sex marriages granted in other states.

In February 2015, the United States Department of Labor issued its final rule amending the definition of "spouse" under the [[Medicine:Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993|Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993]] (FMLA) in response to the ''Windsor'' decision. The new rule became effective 27 March 2015.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Forman|first1=Shira|title=DOL Issues Final Rule Amending FMLA Definition of "Spouse" to Include Same-Sex Marriages|url=http://www.natlawreview.com/article/dol-issues-final-rule-amending-fmla-definition-spouse-to-include-same-sex-marriages|access-date=28 February 2015|publisher=Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP|date=27 February 2015}}</ref> The revised definition of "spouse" extended FMLA leave rights and job protections to eligible employees in a [[Social:Same-sex marriage|same-sex marriage]] or a [[Social:Common-law marriage|common-law marriage]] entered into in a state where those statuses were legally recognized, regardless of the state in which the employee worked or resided.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Trotier|first1=Geoffrey S.|title=FMLA "Spouse" Definition Now Includes Same-Sex Spouses and Common-Law Spouses|journal=The National Law Review|date=24 February 2015|url=http://www.natlawreview.com/article/fmla-spouse-definition-now-includes-same-sex-spouses-and-common-law-spouses|access-date=28 February 2015|publisher=von Briesen & Roper, s.c}}</ref> Accordingly, even if an employer had employees working where same-sex or common law marriage was not recognized, those employees' spouses would trigger FMLA coverage if an employee was married in one of the states that recognized same-sex marriage or common law marriage.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Gozdecki|first1=Jeanine M.|title=FMLA Final Rule: "Spouse" Means Same-Sex Spouse (Even in Alabama)|url=http://www.natlawreview.com/article/fmla-final-rule-spouse-means-same-sex-spouse-even-alabama|access-date=28 February 2015|work=The National Law Review|publisher=Barnes & Thornburg LLP|date=25 February 2015}}</ref>

The ''Obergefell v. Hodges'' decision on 26 June 2015 eliminated the distinction between same-sex marriage and opposite-sex marriage at the federal level, holding that marriage was a constitutional right, and that same-sex couples were entitled to equal rights under the law.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/27/us/supreme-court-same-sex-marriage.html Supreme Court Ruling Makes Same-Sex Marriage a Right Nationwide] Adam Liptakjune, ''New York Times'', 26 June 2015.</ref>

In December 2022, the Respect for Marriage Act was signed into law, repealing DOMA and codifying the rights to both same-sex and interracial marriage under federal law.

=====Civil unions=====
Several states offer alternative legal certifications that recognize same-sex relationships.  Before states enacted these laws, U.S. cities began offering recognition of these unions. These laws bestow marriage-like rights to these couples, and are referred to as civil unions, [[Social:Domestic partnership|domestic partnership]]s, or reciprocal beneficiaries depending on the state. The extent to which these unions resemble marriage vary by state, and several states have enhanced the rights afforded to them over time.  The U.S. jurisdictions that used these forms of same-sex union recognition instead of marriage were Colorado, Wisconsin, and Nevada, all beginning in 2009.

=====U.S. Territories=====
An attempt to ban same-sex marriages and any other legal recognition of same-sex couples in the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico failed in 2008.  Puerto Rico already banned same-sex marriage by statute.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid55845.asp |title=Constitutional Amendment to Ban Gay Marriage in Puerto Rico Fails |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081015135659/http://www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid55845.asp |archive-date=15 October 2008 }}</ref> Same-sex marriage became legal in Puerto Rico in 2015 due to ''Obergefell v. Hodges''.

Same-sex marriage is not performed in American Samoa, an unorganized territory of the U.S. The application of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to the territory is unclear and has not been challenged.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://apnews.com/article/c1deb598da6a482587fdd5bac501fc94 |title=gay marriage illegal in American Samoa |last1=Sagapolutele |first1=Fili |last2=Kelleher |first2=Jennifer Sinco |publisher=Associated Press |date=10 July 2015 |access-date=5 June 2023}}</ref> However, the passage of the Respect for Marriage Act in 2022 meant same-sex marriages conducted outside of American Samoa must be recognized in the territory.{{citation needed|date=June 2023}}

=====Tribal Nations in the United States=====
Several Native American tribes have also legalized same-sex marriage. Those are:

* Blackfeet Nation<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.narf.org/nill/codes/blackfeetcode/blkft1to22familyct.html | title=Blackfeet Tribal Law and Order Code, Family Code | access-date=17 April 2017 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170418084647/http://www.narf.org/nill/codes/blackfeetcode/blkft1to22familyct.html | archive-date=18 April 2017 | df=dmy-all }}</ref>
* Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Tribes of Alaska<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kcaw.org/2015/02/24/tlingit-haida-central-council-oks-same-sex-marriages/|title=Tlingit-Haida Central Council OKs same-sex marriages|publisher=KCAW|date=24 February 2015|access-date=21 April 2017|last=Schoenfeld|first=Ed}}</ref>
* Cherokee Nation<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/cherokee-nation-begins-recognizing-same-sex-marriages-n695026|title=Cherokee Nation Begins Recognizing Same-Sex Marriages |publisher=NBC News |last=Gutierrez-Morfin |first=Noel |date=13 December 2016 |access-date=17 April 2017}}</ref>
* Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes<ref>{{cite web|last=Stuart|first=Hunter|title=Gay Couple Married in Oklahoma: Jason Pickel, Darren Black Bear Tie The Knot Despite State Ban|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/22/gay-couple-married-in-oklahoma-jason-pickel-darren-black-bear_n_4142700.html|work=The Huffington Post|access-date=22 October 2013|date=22 October 2013}}</ref>
* Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ctsi.nsn.us/uploads/downloads/Ordinances/Marriage%20Ordinance%205-15-15.pdf|title=Siletz Marriage Ordinance: Siletz Tribal Code § 8.400|date=15 May 2015|access-date=21 April 2017|quote=...[I]t is the policy of the Tribe that the marriages of same sex couples and the marriages of opposite sex couples be treated equally in all respects under Tribal law.|archive-date=30 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160330061102/http://www.ctsi.nsn.us/uploads/downloads/Ordinances/Marriage%20Ordinance%205-15-15.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation
* Coquille Tribe<ref name="KOIN">{{cite news|title=Coquille tribe approves same-sex marriages |url=http://www.koin.com/news/state/story.aspx?content_id=6fe95e76-b9c1-425c-95f1-e1b314bfdb3e |publisher=KOIN |date=21 August 2008 |access-date=21 August 2008 }}{{dead link|date=December 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2008/08/coquille_tribe_will_sanction_s.html|title=Gay marriage in Oregon? Tribe says yes|last=Graves|first=Bill|date=20 August 2008|work=The Oregonian|access-date=7 September 2008}}</ref>
* Fort McDermitt Paiute and Shoshone Tribes of the Fort McDermitt Indian Reservation
* Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation
* Grand Portage Band of Chippewa
* Iipay Nation of Santa Ysabel<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.heraldonline.com/2013/06/24/4971450/california-native-american-tribe.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130628034639/http://www.heraldonline.com/2013/06/24/4971450/california-native-american-tribe.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=28 June 2013 |title=California Native American Tribe Announces Support of Same Sex Marriage: Santa Ysabel Tribe First in California to Make Proclamation |publisher=Rock Hill Herald Online |date=24 June 2013 |access-date=25 June 2013 }}</ref>
* Keweenaw Bay Indian Community
* Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
* Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe
* Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians<ref>{{cite web|last=Stegman|first=Erik|title=BREAKING: Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Becomes Third Tribal Nation To Pass Marriage Equality|url=http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2013/03/05/1675551/native-michigan-marriage-equality/|work=ThinkProgress|access-date=7 March 2013|date=7 March 2013}}</ref>
* Mashantucket Pequot
* Oneida Nation of Wisconsin
* Osage Nation<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/native-american-osage-nation-votes-favor-same-sex-marriage-n737761|publisher=NBC News|title=Native American Osage Nation Votes in Favor of Same-Sex Marriage|date=23 March 2017|access-date=21 April 2017|last=Eaton|first=Kristi}}</ref>
* Pascua Yaqui Tribe
* Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wwmt.com/news/features/featured/stories/west-michigan-couple-have-first-samesex-wedding-pokagon-tribal-court-1278.shtml |title=West Michigan couple have first same-sex wedding in Pokagon Tribal Court |publisher=WWMT Newschannel 3 |date=21 June 2013 |access-date=25 June 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130627233914/http://wwmt.com/news/features/featured/stories/west-michigan-couple-have-first-samesex-wedding-pokagon-tribal-court-1278.shtml |archive-date=27 June 2013 }}</ref>
* Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe
* The Puyallup Tribe of Indians
* Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community
* San Carlos Apache Tribe
* Suquamish Tribe
* Wind River Indian Reservation

====Uruguay====
Uruguay became the first country in South America to allow civil unions (for both opposite sex and same-sex couples) on 1 January 2008.

Children can be adopted by same-sex couples since 2009.<ref>[http://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2009/08/28/internacional/1251414927.html (Spanish) Los diputados de Uruguay aprueban la adopción para parejas homosexuales], El Mundo, 28 August 2009</ref><ref>[https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gu1QYorSnG_WrGpbQ-ic2fMpxObg Uruguay approves Latin America's first gay adoption law], AFP, 9 September 2009</ref> A same-sex marriage bill passed in the Chamber of Deputies in December 2012,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.france24.com/en/20121212-uruguay-assembly-votes-legalize-gay-marriage |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130111020527/http://www.france24.com/en/20121212-uruguay-assembly-votes-legalize-gay-marriage |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 January 2013 |title=Uruguay assembly votes to legalize gay marriage |access-date=2 December 2013}}</ref><ref>{{in lang|es}} [http://sociedad.elpais.com/sociedad/2012/12/12/actualidad/1355283502_702827.html Uruguay aprueba el matrimonio entre personas del mismo sexo]</ref> as well as in the Senate in April 2013 but with minor amendments. The amended bill was approved by the Chamber of Deputies in a 71–21 vote on 10 April and was signed by the President on 3 May 2013.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2013/04/10/world/americas/uruguay-same-sex-marriage/|title=Same-sex marriage bill awaits president's signature in Uruguay|last=Shoichet|first=Catherine E.|date=10 April 2013|publisher=CNN}}</ref> The law took effect on 5 August 2013.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-23571197 |title=Same-sex marriage bill comes into force in Uruguay |publisher=BBC News |date=5 August 2013 |access-date=2 December 2013}}</ref>

===Asia===
Nepal and Taiwan are the only Asian nations that perform same-sex marriages, while Israel recognizes same-sex marriages performed overseas.

On 24 May 2017 the Constitutional Court in Taiwan ruled that same-sex couples have a right to marry, and gave the legislature two years to amend Taiwanese marriage laws accordingly.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/may/22/taiwans-same-sex-marriage-court-ruling-asias-liberal-beacon|title=Taiwan's same-sex marriage ruling could cement its place as Asia's liberal beacon|last=Smith|first=Nicola|date=21 May 2017|work=The Guardian|access-date=25 May 2017|language=en-GB}}</ref> On 24 May 2019, Taiwan became the first country in Asia to recognize same-sex marriage; the first same-sex wedding occurred in Nepal on 29 November 2023, making it the second.

====Cambodia====
In 2004 King Norodom Sihanouk announced that he supported legislation extending marriage rights to same-sex couples.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/3505915.stm |title=Cambodian king backs gay marriage |publisher=BBC News |date=20 February 2004 |access-date=11 April 2017}}</ref>

In 2011, a ban prohibiting gay marriage was abolished, making same-sex marriages not illegal, but also not protected by law. Some village chiefs may occasionally issue marriage certificates to same-sex couples if one of them is willing to identify as the opposite sex on the marriage license.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/lgbt-cambodia_n_5614ed2de4b0fad1591a0ced |last=Mosbergen |first=Dominique |title=In Cambodia, Some Families Still Try To 'Cure' LGBT Sons And Daughters |work=The Huffington Post |date=14 October 2015}}</ref>

====China====
Same-sex marriage is not legally recognized. Article 2 of the Marriage Law declares "one husband and one wife" as one of the principles guiding marriages. The principle, first codified in 1950, was intended to outlaw polygamy, but is now also interpreted to disallow same-sex marriages. Many other articles of the same law also assume the marriage is a heterosexual union.{{citation needed|date=April 2017}}

The National People's Congress proposed legislation allowing same-sex marriages in 2003. However, the proposal failed to collect the 30 votes needed to be added to the agenda.{{citation needed|date=April 2017}}

On 5 January 2016, a court in Changsha agreed to hear a lawsuit against the Bureau of Civil Affairs of Furong District for its June 2015 refusal to let a gay man marry his partner.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scmp.com/news/china/policies-politics/article/1898421/gay-man-sues-right-marry-chinas-first-same-sex-marriage|title=Gay man sues for right to marry in China's first same-sex marriage lawsuit|work=South China Morning Post|date=6 January 2016|access-date=11 April 2017}}</ref> On 13 April 2016, the court ruled against the couple. They vowed to appeal, citing the importance of his case for LGBT progress in China.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/04/13/474065742/chinese-court-rules-against-gay-couple-seeking-to-get-married |title=Chinese Court Rules Against Gay Couple Seeking To Get Married |last=Kennedy |first=Merrit |work=The Two-Way |publisher=NPR |date=13 April 2016 |access-date=11 April 2017}}</ref>

Currently, Beijing will grant spousal visas to same-sex couples. These documents allow foreign same-sex married couples to live in China, though only one member of the couple may work.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.china-briefing.com/news/2015/07/22/work-visa-tax-implications-of-same-sex-marriage-in-china.html |title=Visa & Tax Implications for Same Sex Marriage Partners in China |publisher=China Briefing |date=22 July 2015 |access-date=11 April 2017}}</ref>

====Hong Kong====
The right to marry in [[Place:Hong Kong|Hong Kong]] is a constitutionally protected right. The Basic Law, the city's constitutional charter, does not define marriage as between a man and a woman, but the Marriage Ordinance does. Under Section 40 of the Marriage Ordinance (Cap. 181), marriage shall be a "''Christian marriage or the civil equivalent of a Christian marriage''"; and this "''implies a formal ceremony recognized by law as involving the voluntary union for life of'' ''one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others'' ". Therefore, same-sex couples are excluded from the legal institution of marriage, along with the benefits of marriage.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=http://familyclic.hk/en/topics/Matrimonial-matters/Marriage-and-co-habitant-issues/Same-sex-marriage-civil-partnership/|title=Family CLIC – MATRIMONIAL MATTERS – Marriage and co-habitant issues – Same-sex marriage / civil partnership|website=familyclic.hk|language=en|access-date=1 December 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.elegislation.gov.hk/hk/cap181?xpid=ID_1438402808402_002|title=Hong Kong e-Legislation|website=www.elegislation.gov.hk|access-date=1 December 2018}}</ref>

In 2004 and 2013, under the UK Civil Partnership Act 2004 and [[Social:Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013|Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013]] respectively, British Nationals including Hong Kong residents holding BN(O) status already have the right to register as civil partners and get married with their same sex partners, under the UK law. However, the British consulate in Hong Kong does not perform consular civil partnerships or same-sex marriage due to the "strong objections" the HKSAR government raised with the British consulate-general, as apparently UK law prohibits embassies and consulates from performing consular marriages if objection is raised by the local government.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1528231/uk-diplomatic-missions-allow-same-sex-marriages-not-hong-kong|title=UK consulate in Hong Kong bars same-sex weddings after government objection|work=South China Morning Post|access-date=1 December 2018|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/foi-release-same-sex-marriage-at-the-consulate-general-hong-kong|title=FOI release: same-sex marriage at the Consulate General Hong Kong|website=GOV.UK|language=en|access-date=1 December 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2014/1110/article/2/made|title=The Consular Marriages and Marriages under Foreign Law Order 2014|website=www.legislation.gov.uk|language=en|access-date=1 December 2018}}</ref>

In 2009, changes to Hong Kong's Domestic and Cohabitation Relationships Ordinance were made to protect same-sex partners.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.angloinfo.com/hong-kong/how-to/hong-kong-family-marriage-partnerships|title=Getting Married in Hong Kong|publisher=Angloinfo|access-date=15 June 2016|work=Angloinfo}}</ref> On 13 May 2013, the Court of Final Appeal, in a 4:1 decision, gave transgender people the right to marry as their identified gender rather than their biological sex at birth, but only in biologically heterosexual relationships (i.e., a transgender woman could not marry a [[Social:Cisgender|cisgender]] woman).<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/may/13/hong-kong-court-transgender-marriage|title=Hong Kong court allows transgender woman to marry a man|date=13 May 2013|work=The Guardian|access-date=13 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160531071356/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/may/13/hong-kong-court-transgender-marriage|archive-date=31 May 2016|url-status=live|agency=Associated Press}}</ref>

In 2018, the government began granting spousal dependant visas to spouses of residents in same-sex legal unions. In July 2018, the Court of Final Appeal upheld a lower court's judgment in favour of a lesbian expat, stating that government's differential treatment towards her – denying her a spousal visa on the basis of marital status – amounted to unlawful discrimination.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hongkongfp.com/2018/09/18/love-wins-hong-kong-changes-sex-spouse-visa-policy-historic-ruling/|title='Love wins': Hong Kong changes same-sex spouse visa policy after historic ruling {{!}} Hong Kong Free Press HKFP|date=18 September 2018|work=Hong Kong Free Press HKFP|access-date=1 December 2018|language=en-GB}}</ref> This gives the dependant visa holders the right to work and earn, and be eligible to apply for permanent residency after residing in Hong Kong continuously for 7 years.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/visas/residence_as_dependant.html#note2_3|title=Dependants {{!}} Immigration Department|website=www.immd.gov.hk|language=en|access-date=1 December 2018}}</ref>

On 22 November 2018, a gay married man filed to the High Court a judicial review application, arguing that a decision by the Housing Authority was unconstitutional under the Hong Kong Bill of Rights and the Basic Law, after he and his husband married in Canada were rejected by the HKSAR government for an application for public housing under the category of "ordinary family" in September.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/2174699/married-gay-man-sues-hong-kong-government-over-rejected|title=Married gay man refused public flat sues Hong Kong government|work=South China Morning Post|access-date=1 December 2018|language=en}}</ref>

====India====
{{wipe|India}} provides same-sex couples rights and benefits equal to married couples as a live-in couple (anagolous to cohabitation or common law marriage) as per a supreme court judgement in August 2022, which offers some sembience of equality in a country where the vast majority of marriages are not registered with government.<ref name="Times of India3">{{Cite news |title=In a first, Gurgaon court recognizes lesbian marriage - Times of India |newspaper=The Times of India |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/gurgaon/In-a-first-Gurgaon-court-recognizes-lesbian-marriage/articleshow/9401421.cms |access-date=31 January 2017}}</ref><ref name=":33">{{Cite web |title=India: Supreme Court Rules on Mandatory Marriage Registration |url=https://www.loc.gov/item/global-legal-monitor/2007-11-02/india-supreme-court-rules-on-mandatory-marriage-registration/ |access-date=28 November 2022 |website=Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA}}</ref>

While it does not recognise [[Social:Same-sex marriage|same-sex marriage]] or civil unions, the vast majority of heterosexual marriages are not registered with government and common law marriage based on traditional customs remains the dominant form of marriage. A number of common law marriages between same-sex couples in rural communities have been reported by the media since independence from colonialism. The Delhi High Court is currently hearing multiple petitions which seek to amend marriage laws for same-sex marriage in India.

India does not possess a unified marriage law, and as such every citizen has the right to choose which law will apply to them based on their community or [[Religion:Religion|religion]]. Although [[Biology:Marriage|marriage]] is legislated at the federal level, the existence of multiple marriage laws complicates the issue.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Same-Sex Marriage and other Queer relationships in India |url=https://issuu.com/orinamwebber/docs/same-sexmarriageandotherqueerrelationshipsinindia |website=Issuu}}</ref>

====Israel====
Marriages in Israel are performed under the authority of the religious authorities to which the couple belong. For Jewish couples the responsible religious authority is the orthodox Chief Rabbinate of Israel, which does not permit same-sex marriages. However, on 21 November 2006 the Supreme Court of Israel ruled that five same-sex Israeli couples who had married in Canada were entitled to have their marriages registered in Israel.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://haaretz.com/hasen/spages/790724.html |title=Israel News – Haaretz Israeli News source |work=haaretz.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100213225536/http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/790724.html |archive-date=13 February 2010 }}</ref>

====Japan====
Article 24 of the Japanese constitution states that "Marriage shall be based only on the mutual consent of '''both sexes''' and it shall be maintained through mutual cooperation with the equal rights of husband and wife as a basis." The purpose of the clause was to amend previous feudal arrangements where the father or husband was legally recognized as the head of the household. However, the new constitution had the unintended consequence of defining the marriage as a union of "both sexes", i.e. man and woman.{{Citation needed|date=January 2010}} However, on 27 March 2009, a justice ministry official was reported to have said that Japan had granted permission for its citizens to marry foreign same-sex partners in countries where [[Social:Same-sex marriage|same-sex marriage]] is legal.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5imtwjW1jvMoCTXZaahFbK3ClE9ZA |title=Japan allows its citizens same-sex marriage abroad |date=27 March 2009 |access-date=2 December 2013}}</ref> Japan does not allow same-sex marriage within its borders, and had until that point also refused to issue a key document required for citizens to wed overseas if the applicant's intended spouse was of the same gender. Under the change, the Ministry of Justice instructed local authorities to issue the key certificate—which states a person is single and of legal age—for those wanting to enter same-sex marriages.

====Nepal====
In November 2008, Nepal's highest court issued a final judgement on matters related to LGBT rights.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-9597.html|title=Nepal's highest court confirms full rights for LGBT people · |publisher=Pinknews.co.uk |date=17 November 2008 |access-date=2 November 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.ukgaynews.org.uk/Archive/08/Nov/1703.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090106110941/http://www.ukgaynews.org.uk/Archive/08/Nov/1703.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=6 January 2009 |title=Tears of Joy as Nepali Gays Transgender Persons at Supreme Court Decision |publisher=Ukgaynews.org.uk |date=17 November 2008 |access-date=2 November 2013 }}</ref> A new Nepalese constitution, approved by the Constituent Assembly on 16 September 2015, included several provisions pertaining to LGBT rights. Based on the ruling of the Supreme Court of Nepal in late 2008, the government was debating legalising same-sex marriage. Several sources suggested that the new constitution would include this provision. However, the new constitution did not address that topic explicitly.<ref>{{Cite news|title = Assembly in Nepal Approves New Constitution|url = https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/17/world/asia/assembly-in-nepal-approves-new-constitution.html|newspaper = The New York Times|date = 16 September 2015|access-date = 17 September 2015|issn = 0362-4331|first = Bhadra|last = Sharma}}</ref><ref name=":0"/>

In November 2023, Nepal officially recognised same-sex marriage, months after the Supreme Court decision which proposed the legislation.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gurubacharya |first1=Binaj |title=Gay couple in Nepal becomes 1st to officially register same-sex marriage in country |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/gay-couple-nepal-1st-officially-register-same-sex-105237287 |website=ABC News |access-date=29 November 2023}}</ref>

====Philippines====
The Philippines does not recognize same-sex marriage. The Family Code of the Philippines defines marriage as "a special contract of permanent union between a man and a woman".<ref>{{cite web | url=https://pcw.gov.ph/executive-order-no-209-the-family-code-of-the-philippines/ | title=Executive Order No. 209: The Family Code of the Philippines | date= 24 August 2022 }}</ref>

====South Korea====
On 30 July 2004, the Democratic Labor Party of South Korea filed a formal complaint against the Incheon District Court's decision to refuse recognition of same-sex marriages. The complaint was filed on the grounds that the decision was unconstitutional, because neither the Constitution nor civil law define marriage as being between a man and a woman (the only mentioned requisite is age of majority) and because the Constitution explicitly forbids discrimination "''pertaining to all political, economic, social, or cultural aspects of life of an individual.''" The committee also claimed that refusal to recognize same-sex marriages constitutes discrimination based on sexual orientation and a refusal to provide equal protection under the law.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blog.naver.com/draft23?Redirect=Log&logNo=80004596491 |title=블로그 :: 네이버 |publisher=Blog.naver.com |access-date=2 December 2013 |archive-date=19 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110519103600/http://blog.naver.com/draft23?Redirect=Log&logNo=80004596491 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

====Taiwan====
In 2003, the government of Taiwan (officially the Republic of China) led by the Presidential office, proposed legislation granting marriages to same-sex couples under the Human Rights Basic Law, but it did not proceed.

On 22 December 2014, a proposed amendment to the Civil Code to legalize same-sex marriage went under review by the Judiciary Committee. If the amendment had passed the committee stage it would have been voted on at the plenary session of the Legislative Yuan in 2015. The amendment, called the marriage equality amendment, would have inserted neutral terms into the Civil Code replacing ones that imply heterosexual marriage, effectively legalizing same-sex marriage. It would also have allowed same-sex couples to adopt children. Yu Mei-nu of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), the convener of the legislative session, expressed support for the amendment, as did more than 20 other DPP lawmakers as well as two from the Taiwan Solidarity Union and one each from the Kuomintang and the People First Party.<ref>{{cite web |author=Lii Wen |url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2014/12/21/2003607251 |title=Gay marriage proposal set for review |work=Taipei Times |date=21 December 2014 |access-date=21 December 2014}}</ref>

The Constitutional Court's ''J. Y. Interpretation No. 748'' ruled on 24 May 2017 that laws limiting marriage to between a man and a woman were unconstitutional.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cons.judicial.gov.tw/en/docdata.aspx?fid=100&id=310929|title=No. 748 Same-Sex Marriage Case|website=Constitutional Court R.O.C. (Taiwan)|date=24 May 2017|access-date=7 July 2022}}</ref> The panel of judges gave the Legislative Yuan two years to amend or enact new laws.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/05/24/asia/taiwan-same-sex-marriage/index.html|title=Taiwan step closer to being first in Asia for same-sex marriage|author=Katie Hunt and Karina Tsui|website=CNN|access-date=24 May 2017}}</ref> The court further stipulated that should the Legislative Yuan fail to amend or enact laws legalizing same-sex marriage within two years, same-sex couples would be able to marry through existing marriage registration processes at any household registration office.

On 17 May 2019, the Legislative Yuan passed the ''Act for Implementation of J. Y. Interpretation No. 748''. The name of the law, referring to the Constitutional Court ruling two years earlier, was an attempt at compromise, employing neutral-sounding terminology.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://english.cw.com.tw/article/article.action?id=2404|title=Taiwan Becomes the First Asian Country to Legalize Same-Sex Marriage|website=CommonWealth Magazine|date=17 May 2019|access-date=7 July 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://law.moj.gov.tw/ENG/LawClass/LawAll.aspx?pcode=B0000008|title=Act for Implementation of J.Y. Interpretation No. 748|website=Laws and Regulations Database of the Republic of China (Taiwan)|access-date=7 July 2022}}</ref> It was subsequently signed by the President on 22 May 2019.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://en.rti.org.tw/news/view/id/2001174|title=President Tsai signs same-sex marriage bill into law|author=John Van Trieste|work=Radio Taiwan International|date=23 May 2019|access-date=7 July 2022}}</ref> The law came into effect on 24 May 2019, making Taiwan the first country in Asia to recognize same-sex marriage.

===Europe===
Same-sex civil marriages are legally recognized nationwide in Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. In a number of other European countries, same-sex civil unions give similar or identical rights to marriage.

A poll conducted by EOS Gallup Europe in 2003 found that 57% of the population in the then 15-member European Union supported same-sex marriage. Support among the member states who joined in 2004 was around 28%, meaning that 53% of citizens in the 28-member EU supported legalizing same-sex marriage.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ilga-europe.org/home/publications/euro_letter/2003/in_english/euroletter_109_october_2003 |title=ILGA-Europe |work=ilga-europe.org }}{{dead link|date=June 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

====Albania====
Albania's government announced its intention to propose a bill allowing same-sex marriage in 2009. However, no bill has been presented as of 2023.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.sgn.org/sgnnews38_07/page16.cfm |title=Albania passes anti-discrimination law |publisher=Sgn.org |date=12 February 2010 |access-date=2 December 2013 |archive-date=3 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203034356/http://www.sgn.org/sgnnews38_07/page16.cfm |url-status=dead }}</ref>

====Austria====
Austria began performing same-sex marriages and different-sex registered partnerships on 1 January 2019, after the Constitutional Court deemed that the existing laws treated same-sex couples and different-sex couples differently, and were therefore discriminatory.<ref name="Austria">{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/austria-same-sex-gay-marriage-legal-constitutional-court-lgbt-rights-start-date-couples-a8092516.html|title=Austria court legalises same-sex marriage from start of 2019, ruling all existing laws discriminatory|work=independent|date=5 December 2017|access-date=8 December 2017}}</ref>

====Belgium====
On 1 June 2003, Belgium became the second country in the world to legally recognise same-sex marriage.

====Cyprus====
Civil cohabitations have been legal in Cyprus since 11 December 2015. The bill to establish civil cohabitation was approved by the parliament on 26 November 2015 with a 39–12 vote.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cyprus-mail.com/2015/11/26/house-passes-htnerships-bill/|title=House passes historic civil partnerships bill (Update)|work=Cyprus Mail}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://in-cyprus.com/civil-unions-become-law/ |title=Civil unions become law |work=InCyprus |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151127055351/http://in-cyprus.com/civil-unions-become-law/ |archive-date=27 November 2015 }}</ref> It was published in the official gazette on 11 December 2015 and took effect upon publication.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://avmag.gr/60340/60340/|title=Gay νέα και ειδήσεις: Τέθηκε σε ισχύ η πολιτική συμβίωση στην Κύπρο – Antivirus Magazine|author=acceptCY|work=Antivirus Magazine|date=11 December 2015 }}</ref>

====Czech Republic====
On 15 March 2006, the parliament of the Czech Republic voted to override a presidential veto and allow same-sex partnerships to be recognised by law, effective 1 July 2006, granting registered couples inheritance and health care rights similar to married couples. The legislation did not grant adoption rights. The parliament had previously rejected similar legislation four times.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4811030.stm | work=BBC News | title=Czech MPs approve gay rights law | date=15 March 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gcn.ie/content/templates/newsupdate.aspx?articleid=995&zoneid=4 |access-date=18 February 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928022733/http://www.gcn.ie/content/templates/newsupdate.aspx?articleid=995&zoneid=4 |archive-date=28 September 2007 |title=Low turn out for gay Czech civil partnerships}}</ref>

====Denmark====
On 15 June 2012, Denmark became the eleventh country in the world to legalise same-sex marriage. The autonomous territory Greenland legalised same-sex marriage on 1 April 2016, and the Faroe Islands followed on 1 July 2017.

====Estonia====

Estonia has recognised same-sex registered partnerships since January 1, 2016.<ref>{{cite news |title=Estonia becomes first former Soviet state to legalise gay marriage |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/estonia-becomes-first-former-soviet-state-to-legalise-gay-marriage-9785869.html |access-date=12 June 2023 |agency=The Independent |date=9 October 2014}}</ref>

In June 2023, the Estonian Parliament passed a bill legalizing same-sex marriage and joint adoption, and giving full effect to the registered partnership law. The law commenced on 1 January 2024.<ref>{{cite news |title=Estonian government approves draft same-sex marriage act |url=https://news.err.ee/1608978632/estonian-government-approves-draft-same-sex-marriage-act |access-date=12 June 2023 |agency=ERR News |date=15 May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Same-sex marriage to bring new gender neutral forms |url=https://news.err.ee/1609196149/same-sex-marriage-to-bring-new-gender-neutral-forms |website=Eesti Rahvusringhääling |access-date=31 December 2023}}</ref>

====Finland====
Registered partnerships were performed in Finland between 2002 and 2017. Legislation for same-sex marriage was submitted by individual members of the Parliament in March 2012 but it was turned down by the Legal Affairs Committee in February 2013. A similar bill was introduced to the Parliament in December 2013 as a citizens' initiative, with the support of 160,000 people. In June 2014 the Legal Affairs Committee recommended to reject it, but on 28 November 2014 the full Parliament rejected that recommendation by a vote of 92–105, thus paving the way for the legalisation of same-sex marriage. The initiative was approved by the full session at the second reading on 12 December 2014. A new citizens' initiative was started on 29 March 2015 aiming to rescind the new marriage law. The new initiative collected almost 110,000 signatures by 29 September 2015 but it was rejected by the Legal Affairs Committee and later voted down by the full Parliament on 17 February 2017, by 120–48. The new marriage law took effect on 1 March 2017.

====France====
Since 1999, same-sex civil unions (PACS) have been legal in France. In June 2011, an Ifop poll found that 63% of respondents were in favour of same-sex marriage.<ref>[http://www.tetu.com/actualites/france/selon-la-prefecture-de-police-il-ny-a-presque-pas-eu-de-marche-des-fiertes-19694 Selon la préfecture de police, il n'y a (presque) pas eu de Marche des fiertés] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110902023523/http://www.tetu.com/actualites/france/selon-la-prefecture-de-police-il-ny-a-presque-pas-eu-de-marche-des-fiertes-19694 |date=2 September 2011 }}, Tetu, 25 June 2011</ref> France legalised same-sex marriage on 23 April 2013.<ref>{{cite news|title=France Legalizes Gay Marriage After Harsh Debate|url=https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2013/04/23/world/europe/ap-eu-france-gay-marriage.html?hp|newspaper=The New York Times|date=23 April 2013}}</ref> The bill was confirmed in the Constitutional Court of France on 17 May 2013 and signed by the French President on 18 May 2013.

====Germany====
Equal marriage (including full adoption rights) was passed by the Lower House of the German Parliament (the Bundestag) on 30 June 2017, was approved by the Upper House (the Bundesrat) on 7 July, and was signed into law on 20 July 2017 by President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. It came into effect on 1 October 2017. Registered life partnerships (''Eingetragene Lebenspartnerschaft'') (effectively, a form of civil union) have been instituted since 2001, giving same-sex couples most of the rights and obligations of marriage. Step-child adoption was legalized in 2004 and extended to children adopted by one partner first (successive adoption) in 2013.

====Greece====
In Greece, there is a legal recognition of same-sex couples since 24 December 2015. Attempts to give equal rights to registered partners or to legalize same-sex marriage began in Spring 2008, after the Greek Minister of Justice, Transparency and Human Rights announced that a bill was to be introduced to the Hellenic Parliament in order to regulate civil partnerships for opposite-sex couples, but refused to include provisions for same-sex couples as well. In 2013 the case was brought to the European Court of Human Rights, which ruled that the exclusion of same-sex couples from the bill was discriminatory and a violation of human rights. On 9 November 2015, a new bill granting same-sex couples all the rights of marriage except adoption was published. After a public consultation, which ended on 20 November 2015, the bill was submitted to the Hellenic Parliament on 9 December 2015, and approved 14 days later, on 23 December, with 194 MPs voting yes, 55 voting no and 51 being absent.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thetoc.gr/eng/politics/article/greek-parliament-legalizes-same-sex-cohabitation|title=Greek parliament legalizes same-sex cohabitation|work=The TOC in English|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20160613121253/http://www.thetoc.gr/eng/politics/article/greek-parliament-legalizes-same-sex-cohabitation|archive-date=13 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/greece-gay-civil-partnerships_567ab87de4b06fa6887f815f|title=Greek Parliament Legalizes Same-Sex Civil Partnerships|date=23 December 2015|work=The Huffington Post}}</ref> The following day, the law was signed by the President of Greece and published in the government gazette. It took effect upon publication.<ref>[http://www.et.gr/idocs-nph/search/pdfViewerForm.html?args=5C7QrtC22wE4q6ggiv8WTXdtvSoClrL8RZsdmVE36E95MXD0LzQTLWPU9yLzB8V68knBzLCmTXKaO6fpVZ6Lx9hLslJUqeiQ7YD-s2g-TGFc-ieGHzbhl8d9JIy5q3gnKRFHKgyKzGY. ΝΟΜΟΣ ΥΠ’ ΑΡΙΘ. 3456 Σύμφωνο συμβίωσης, άσκηση δικαιωμάτων, ποινικές και άλλες διατάξεις.]</ref>

====Hungary====
Unregistered cohabitation has been recognized since 1996. It applies to any couple living together in an economic and sexual relationship{{citation needed|date=December 2021}}(common-law marriage), including same-sex couples. No official registration is required. The law gives some specified rights and benefits to two persons living together. These rights and benefits are not automatically given – they must be applied for to the social department of the local government in each case. An amendment was made to the Civil Code: "Partners – if not stipulated otherwise by law – are two people living in an emotional and economic community in the same household without being married." Widow-pension is possible, partners cannot be heirs by law (without the need for a will), but can be designated as testamentary heirs.

The Hungarian Parliament on 21 April 2009 passed legislation by a vote of 199–159, called the ''Registered Partnership Act 2009'' which allows same-sex couples to register their relationships so they can access the same rights, benefits and entitlements as opposite-sex couples (except for the right to marriage, adoption, IVF, surrogacy, taking a surname or become the legal guardian of their partner's child). The legislation does not allow opposite-sex couples to register their relationships (out of fear that there might be duplication under the law). The law came into force on 1 July 2009.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ukgaynews.org.uk/marriage_timeline.htm |title=Gay and Lesbian Marriage, Partnership or Unions Worldwide |publisher=UK Gay News |access-date=2 November 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090615184256/http://www.ukgaynews.org.uk/marriage_timeline.htm |archive-date=15 June 2009 }}</ref>

Since 1 January 2012 the Hungarian Constitution bans same-sex marriage.

====Iceland====
On 11 June 2010, a law was passed to make same-sex marriage legal in Iceland. The law took effect on 27 June 2010.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.icenews.is/index.php/2010/06/11/iceland-parliament-votes-for-gay-marriage/ |title=Iceland parliament votes for gay marriage |publisher=Icenews.is |date=13 June 2010 |access-date=2 December 2013 |archive-date=28 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121028165650/http://www.icenews.is/index.php/2010/06/11/iceland-parliament-votes-for-gay-marriage/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

====Ireland====
The Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2010 was first debated in Dáil Éireann on 3 December 2009. It passed in Dáil Éireann without a vote on 1 July 2010 due to all parties supporting the bill. The bill passed in Seanad Éireann on 8 July 2010 with a vote of 48–4. It was signed by the President of Ireland on 19 July 2010.

The law took effect on 1 January 2011.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0101/breaking25.html|title=Partnership laws come into force|date=1 January 2011|newspaper=The Irish Times|access-date=1 May 2011|archive-date=22 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022213340/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0101/breaking25.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> It grants many rights to same-sex couples through civil partnerships but does not recognise both civil partners as the guardians of a child being raised by the couple. Irish law allows married couples and individuals to apply to adopt and allows gay couples to foster. The Act also gives new protections to cohabitating couples, both same-sex and opposite-sex.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://insightscoop.typepad.com/2004/2011/03/new-irish-government-raises-concerns-for-catholics.html |title=Insight Scoop &#124; The Ignatius Press Blog: New Irish Government Raises Concerns for Catholics |publisher=Insightscoop.typepad.com |date=15 March 2011 |access-date=2 November 2013}}</ref>

A referendum that took place on 22 May 2015 has amended the Irish constitution to make same-sex marriage legal.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-32858501|title=Huge Republic of Ireland vote for gay marriage|work=BBC News|date=23 May 2015 }}</ref> The Marriage Act 2015 was signed into law on 29 October 2015.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Marriage Act 2015 has been signed into law|url=http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/the-marriage-act-2015-has-been-signed-into-law-703070.html|website=breakingnews.ie|date=29 October 2015 |access-date=29 October 2015}}</ref>

====Italy====
On 11 May 2016, Italian MPs voted 372 to 51, and 99 abstaining, to approve Civil Unions in Italy.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ansa.it/english/news/2016/05/11/civil-unions-become-law_19e92919-e154-446b-9ec7-f712319fa41b.html|title=Civil unions become law|publisher=ANSA|date=11 May 2016|access-date=11 May 2016}}</ref> This came nearly a year after the European Court of Human Rights found Italy to be in breach of the European Convention of Human Rights.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hudoc.echr.coe.int/eng?i=001-156265|title=CASE OF OLIARI AND OTHERS v. ITALY |work=European Court of Human Rights|date=21 July 2015}}</ref>
The Italian law on Civil Unions (Legge 20 maggio 2016 N. 76) delivers all of the rights of marriage to same sex partners, except for joint adoption and stepchild adoption.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.articolo29.it/ |title=Articolo29 famiglia, orientamento sessuale, identità di genere |access-date=19 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190118195501/http://www.articolo29.it/ |archive-date=18 January 2019 |url-status=dead  }}</ref>

====Latvia====
In December 2005, the Latvian Parliament passed a constitutional amendment defining marriage as a union between a man and a woman. President Vaira Vike-Freiberga signed the amendment shortly afterward.

On 12 November 2020, the Constitutional Court of Latvia issued a ruling in favor of same-sex couples receiving rights and benefits equal to married opposite-sex couples. The Court gave the Saeima until 1 June 2022 to enact legislation. In December 2021, the Supreme Court ruled that if legislation failed before the deadline that couples could register with courts to recognize their relationships. The first civil union was recognized on 30 May 2022.

====Malta====
On 14 April 2014, the Maltese parliament voted in favour of civil unions at par with marriage (equal to marriage in all but the name) with all rights and obligations, including the right to adoption and recognition of same-sex marriage contracted abroad. The first foreign same-sex marriage was registered on 29 April 2014 and the first civil unions began on 14 June 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tvm.com.mt/news/aggornat-ryan-u-jamie-jirregistraw-l-ewwel-zwieg-gay-fmalta/|title=Aggornat: Ryan u Jaime jirregistraw l-ewwel zwieg gay f'Malta – TVM|work=TVM}}</ref> On 12 July 2017, Malta legalized same-sex marriage with a near unanimous parliamentary vote.<ref>{{cite web|title=Malta Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage |work={{wipe|The New York Times}} |agency=The Associated Press |date=12 July 2017 |access-date=18 September 2017 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/12/world/europe/malta-same-sex-marriage-legalized.html|}}</ref>

====Netherlands====
The Netherlands became the first country in the world to legalise same-sex marriages on 1 April 2001. The possibility exists in its European territory as well as in the special municipalities of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba (known as the Caribbean Netherlands) while those marriages can be registered in the constituent countries of Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten{{citation needed|date=October 2022}}.

====Norway====
[[Social:Same-sex marriage|Same-sex marriage]] is legally performed in Norway. The Norwegian government proposed a gender-neutral marriage law on 14 March 2008, that would give same-sex couples the same rights as heterosexuals, including church weddings, adoption and assisted pregnancies. On 29 May 2008, the Associated Press reported that two Norwegian Opposition parties came out in favor of the new bill, assuring the bill's passage when the vote was held on 11 June. Prior to this, there were some disagreements with members of the three-party governing coalition on whether the bill had enough votes to pass. With this, it became almost certain that the bill would pass.<ref name="AP">{{cite news|url=http://www.pr-inside.com/majority-in-norwegian-parliament-agrees-r614727.htm|title=Majority in Norwegian parliament agrees on new law allowing gay weddings, adoptions|date=29 May 2008|agency=Associated Press|access-date=11 June 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080603013147/http://www.pr-inside.com/majority-in-norwegian-parliament-agrees-r614727.htm |archive-date=3 June 2008}}</ref>

The first hearings and the vote were held, and passed, on 11 June 2008. 84 votes for and 41 against. This also specified that when a woman who is married to another woman becomes pregnant through [[Biology:Artificial insemination|artificial insemination]], the partner would have all the rights of parenthood "from the moment of conception". The law became effective from 1 January 2009.<ref name="VG">{{cite news|url=http://www.vg.no/nyheter/innenriks/artikkel.php?artid=513117|title=Tårer da ekteskapsloven ble vedtatt|last=Ravndal|first=Dennis |author2=Gjermund Glesnes |author3=Øystein Eian |date=11 June 2008|work=Verdens Gang|language=no|access-date=11 June 2008}}</ref>

Norway was also the second country to legalize registered partnerships, doing so in 1993. Since 1 January 2009, all registered partnerships{{citation needed|date=August 2010}} from 1993 to 2008 were upon request by the couples upgraded to marriage status.

====Portugal====
In March 2001, the Socialist government of Prime Minister António Guterres introduced legislation that would extend to same-sex couples the same rights as heterosexual couples living in a de facto union for more than two years.{{citation needed|date=October 2022}}

Same-sex marriage became a source of debate in February 2006 when a lesbian couple was denied a marriage license. They took their case to court alleging violation of the 1976 constitution which prohibits discrimination based on one's sexual orientation. Prime Minister José Sócrates of the Socialist Party was reelected in September 2009 and included same-sex marriage in his party's program. A bill recognizing same-sex marriage was proposed by the government and approved by parliament on 8 January 2010.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/12/17/portugal-tipped-to-allow-gay-marriage/ |title=Portugal tipped to allow gay marriage |publisher=Pinknews.co.uk |access-date=2 December 2013}}</ref> However, Portugal's parliament rejected alternative proposals that included a provision to allow homosexual couples to adopt as a couple (single homosexuals can legally adopt).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8448640.stm |title=Same-sex marriage law backed in Portugal's parliament |publisher=BBC News |date=8 January 2010 |access-date=2 December 2013}}</ref> Although personally against it, the Portuguese President ratified the bill on 17 May 2010. The law became effective on 5 June 2010, after publication in the official gazette, on 31 May. The first marriage was celebrated on 7 June 2010 between Teresa Pires and Helena Paixão, the same lesbian couple that was denied a marriage licence in 2006.

====Slovenia====
In July 2006, Slovenia became the first former Yugoslav country to introduce domestic partnerships nationwide.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://365gay.com/Newscon06/07/072406slovenia.htm |title=Gay News From |publisher=365gay.com |access-date=2 December 2013 |archive-date=20 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080720130210/http://www.365gay.com/Newscon06/07/072406slovenia.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> In December 2009 the Slovenian government approved a new Family Code, which includes same-sex marriage and same-sex adoption. The bill was approved by parliament, but rejected by voters in a 2015 referendum. On 24 February 2017, a new law came into effect which gives same-sex partnerships all the legal rights of marriages, with the exception of [[Social:Adoption|adoption]] and in-vitro fertilisation.<ref>[https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/slovenia-boosts-rights-sex-couples-45709631 Slovenia boosts rights of same-sex couples]</ref><ref>[https://english.sta.si/2359054/same-sex-partnership-act-implemented Same-sex partnership act implemented]</ref> On 8 July 2022, the Slovenian Constitutional Court ruled that same-sex marriage and joint adoption by same-sex couples were legal. Parliament was given six months to bring legislation in line with the constitution, although the ruling took effect immediately.{{citation needed|date=October 2022}}

====Spain====
Spain became the third country in the world (after the Netherlands and Belgium) to legalize same-sex marriage. After being elected in June 2004, Spanish prime minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero restated his pre-election pledge to push for legalization of same-sex marriage.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/3548727.stm | work=BBC News | title=Spain 'to approve gay marriages' | date=19 March 2004 | access-date=24 May 2010}}</ref> On 1 October 2004, the Spanish Government approved a bill to legalize same-sex marriage, including adoption rights. The bill received full parliamentary approval on 30 June 2005 and passed into law on 2 July, becoming fully legal on 3 July. Polls at the time suggested that 62% to 76% of Spain supports same-sex marriage,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.planetout.com/news/article.html?2005/04/21/5 |title=Here Media, Planet Out – Notes from the CEO Paul Colichman |work=planetout.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071227125726/http://www.planetout.com/news/article.html?2005%2F04%2F21%2F5 |archive-date=27 December 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cadenaser.com/articulo.html?xref=20050701csrcsrsoc_3&type=Tes&anchor=|title=Últimas noticias|author=Cadena SER|work=cadenaser.com|access-date=6 June 2006|archive-date=29 July 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120729041409/http://www.cadenaser.com/articulo.html?xref=20050701csrcsrsoc_3&type=Tes&anchor=|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.angus-reid.com/polls/index.cfm/fuseaction/viewItem/itemID/7887 |title=::.Angus Reid Consultants.:: |access-date=22 December 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060129001727/http://www.angus-reid.com/polls/index.cfm/fuseaction/viewItem/itemID/7887 |archive-date=29 January 2006 }}</ref> while recent polls indicate that 77% of Spaniards supported same-sex marriage, 13% were opposed and 10% did not know or refused to answer<ref>{{Cite web|date=29 May 2018|title=Attitudes of Christians in Western Europe|url=https://www.pewforum.org/2018/05/29/religion-and-society/|access-date=9 December 2021|website=Pew Research Center's Religion & Public Life Project|language=en-US}}</ref> and the 2019 Eurobarometer found that 86% of Spaniards thought same-sex marriage should be allowed throughout Europe, while 9% were opposed.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Eurobarometer|url=https://europa.eu/eurobarometer/|access-date=9 December 2021|website=europa.eu}}</ref>

====Sweden====
Following a bill introduced jointly by six of the seven parties in the Riksdag, a gender-neutral marriage law was adopted on 1 April 2009.<ref>[http://www.sr.se/cgi-bin/International/nyhetssidor/artikel.asp?ProgramID=2054&Format=1&artikel=2739765 Gays Win Marriage Rights] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090405213916/http://www.sr.se/cgi-bin/International/nyhetssidor/artikel.asp?ProgramID=2054&Format=1&artikel=2739765 |date=5 April 2009 }}, Sveriges Radio English, 1 April 2009</ref> It came into force on 1 May, replacing the old legislation on registered partnerships.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.riksdagen.se/Webbnav/index.aspx?nid=45&sq=1&ID=rpjtok7D9_3_1B |access-date=18 February 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110115131917/http://www.riksdagen.se/Webbnav/index.aspx?nid=45&sq=1&ID=rpjtok7D9_3_1B |archive-date=15 January 2011 |title=Riksdagen beslutar om könsneutrala äktenskap på onsdag |language=sv |trans-title=The Riksdag decides on gender neutral marriage on Wednesday }}</ref> On 22 October, the assembly of the Church of Sweden (which is no longer officially the national church but whose assent was needed for the new system to function smoothly with regard to church officials) voted strongly in favor of the new law.<ref name="dn.se" />

====Switzerland====
Switzerland allowed registered partnerships for same-sex couples since 1 January 2007. A legislative initiative to legalize same-sex marriage was introduced in 2013 in the Swiss parliament. This legislation was passed on 18 December 2020, but the act remains subject to a referendum if 50,000 citizens request it within three months after its passage.<ref>{{Cite web|date=18 December 2020|title=Switzerland: Same-sex marriage, transgender rights move a step forward|url=https://www.dw.com/en/switzerland-same-sex-marriage-transgender-rights-move-a-step-forward/a-55994393|access-date=19 December 2020|website=Deutsche Welle|language=en-GB}}</ref>

On 26 September 2021, 64.1% of the population voted in favour of allowing same-sex couples to marry, with 35.9% voting against. Switzerland therefore now allows same-sex marriage, as well as access to sperm banks for lesbian couples, and same-sex couples to adopt children.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Illien|first=Noele|date=26 September 2021|title=Swiss Voters Approve Law Allowing Same-Sex Marriages|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/26/world/europe/switzerland-same-sex-marriage.html|access-date=26 September 2021|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

====United Kingdom====

=====England and Wales=====
On 18 November 2004 the United Kingdom Parliament passed the Civil Partnership Act, which came into force in December 2005 and allows same-sex couples in England and Wales to register their partnership. The government stressed during the passage of the bill that it is ''not'' same-sex marriage, and some same-sex rights activists have criticized the act for not using the terminology of marriage. However, the rights and duties of partners under this legislation are exactly the same as for married couples. An amendment proposing similar rights for family members living together was rejected. The press widely referred to these unions as "gay marriage."&nbsp;<ref>{{cite news |url=http://breakingnews.iol.ie/news/story.asp?j=166440912&p=y6644y6y8 |title=Free Presbyterians picket first gay marriage in NI &#124; BreakingNews.ie |publisher=Breakingnews.iol.ie |date=19 December 2005 |access-date=2 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061031175825/http://breakingnews.iol.ie/news/story.asp?j=166440912&p=y6644y6y8 |archive-date=31 October 2006 |url-status=dead  }}</ref> During and following the 2010 election, all parties stated they were in favor of allowing same-sex marriage in the UK.<ref name="grauni1127">{{cite news |title=Gay marriages and heterosexual civil partnerships may soon be welcomed |first=Alan |last=Travis |url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2011/feb/17/civil-partnerships-marriage |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=17 February 2011 |access-date=18 February 2011 }}</ref><ref name="pinknews1">{{cite web|last=Geen |first=Jessica |url=http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2011/09/16/government-proposes-introduction-of-full-gay-marriage-after-cameron-intervention/ |title=Government proposes introducing gay marriage after Cameron intervention |date=16 September 2011 |publisher=PinkNews.co.uk |access-date=29 April 2012}}</ref> Following a public consultation, as of 2013 a bill allowing same-sex marriage in England and Wales, and also providing an exemption for conducting of same-sex marriage ceremonies for religious bodies whose doctrines oppose such relationships, passed its second reading on 5 February 2013 in a 400–175 vote. The bill passed its third reading in the House of Lords on 15 July 2013<ref name="Lords">{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/10180552/Gay-marriage-clears-the-House-of-Lords.html |title=Gay marriage clears the House of Lords }}</ref> and the Commons accepted all of the Lords' amendments on the following day, with Royal Assent granted on 17 July 2013. The law went into effect on 29 March 2014.

=====Scotland=====
In Scotland, which is a separate legal jurisdiction, the devolved Scottish Parliament also introduced Civil Partnerships, and performed also a consultation on the issue of same-sex marriage. On 25 July 2012 the Scottish Government announced it would bring forward legislation to legalise both civil and religious same-sex marriage in Scotland. The Government reiterated its intention to ensure that no religious group or individual member of the clergy would be forced to conduct such ceremonies; it also stated its intention to work with Westminster to make necessary changes to the Equality Act to ensure that this would be guaranteed.<ref>{{cite news|title=Gay marriage to be introduced in Scotland|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-18981287|access-date=25 July 2012|newspaper=BBC News|date=25 July 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Same-sex marriage to be legalised|url=http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2012/07/same-sex25072012|publisher=Government of Scotland|access-date=25 July 2012|archive-date=25 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120725165730/http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2012/07/same-sex25072012|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On 4 February 2014, the Scottish Parliament passed the [[Social:Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Act 2014|Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Act]] 105 to 18, legalizing same-sex marriage with effect from 16 December 2014.

=====Northern Ireland=====
Same-sex marriage is legal in Northern Ireland. Under the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2019, regulations were passed to legalise same-sex marriage on 13 January 2020. The first same-sex wedding took place on 11 February 2020.<ref>{{Cite news|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|date=11 February 2020|title=First same-sex marriage takes place in Northern Ireland|language=en-GB|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/feb/11/first-same-sex-marriage-northern-ireland-belfast-robyn-peoples-sharni-edwards|access-date=11 February 2020|issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

===Oceania===

====Australia====
Australia became the second nation in [[Earth:Oceania|Oceania]] to legalise same-sex marriage when the Australian Parliament passed a bill on 7 December 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-12-07/same-sex-marriage-bill-passes-house-of-representatives/9235560|title=Same-sex marriage bill passes House of Representatives, paving way for first gay weddings|website=ABC News|date=7 December 2017}}</ref> The bill received [[Social:Royal assent|royal assent]] on 8 December, and took effect on 9 December 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-12-08/same-sex-marriage-legal-after-gg-approval/9239334|title=Same-sex marriage signed into law by Governor-General, first weddings to happen from January 9|website=ABC News|date=8 December 2017}}</ref><ref name=Ausleg>{{cite web|url=https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2017A00129|title=Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Act 2017|date=9 December 2017|website=Federal Register of Legislation}}</ref> The law removed the ban on same-sex marriage which previously existed and followed a [[Social:Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey|voluntary postal survey]] held from 12 September to 7 November 2017, which returned a 61.6% ''Yes'' vote for same-sex marriage.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/nov/15/australia-says-yes-to-same-sex-marriage-in-historic-postal-survey|title=Australia says yes to same-sex marriage in historic postal survey|date=15 November 2017|work=The Guardian|last1=Karp|first1=Paul}}</ref> The same legislation also legalised same-sex marriage in all of Australia's external territories.<ref name=Ausleg/>

====Fiji====
On 26 March 2013, Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama expressed his opposition to same-sex marriage. Answering a question from a caller on a radio talk show, he stated that same-sex marriage "will not be allowed because it is against religious beliefs".<ref>[http://www.fijisun.com.fj/2013/03/27/no-same-sex-marriage-pm/ "No same-sex marriage: PM"], ''Fiji Sun'', 27 March 2013</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Dan Littauer |url=http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/fiji-prime-minister-says-no-gay-marriage270313 |title=Fiji prime minister says no to gay marriage |publisher=Gaystarnews.com |date=27 March 2013 |access-date=2 December 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203050735/http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/fiji-prime-minister-says-no-gay-marriage270313 |archive-date=3 December 2013 }}</ref>

====New Zealand====
Civil unions, which grant all of the same rights and privileges as marriage excluding adoption, have been legal since 2005.

On 17 April 2013, the Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Bill, a private member's bill sponsored by lesbian Labour MP Louisa Wall that would legalise same sex marriage was passed by Parliament, 77 votes to 44.<ref>{{cite web|title=Same-sex marriage law passed|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10878200|work=The New Zealand Herald|access-date=17 April 2013|author=Isaac Davison|date=17 April 2013}}</ref> The bill received Royal Assent from the Governor-General on 19 April and took effect on 19 August 2013.<ref name="Radio NZ">{{cite news|url=http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/133170/marriage-legislation-becomes-law |title=Legislation to legalise same-sex marriage passed in Parliament this week has become law |publisher=Radionz.co.nz |date=21 April 2013 |access-date=2 December 2013}}</ref>

In the first year after the law came into effect, 926 same-sex marriages were registered in New Zealand, including 532 marriages (57.5%) between New Zealand citizens, and 237 marriages (25.6%) between {{wipe|Australia}}n citizens.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.dia.govt.nz/press.nsf/d77da9b523f12931cc256ac5000d19b6/6cd5e0a601ca6d90cc257d38000ca9f2!OpenDocument |title= 926 same sex marriages since law change |publisher= Department of Internal Affairs New Zealand |date= 18 August 2014 |access-date= 16 November 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://gaynewsnetwork.com.au/news/a-year-on-one-third-of-nz-gay-marriages-are-of-aussie-couples-13623.html|title=A year on: One third of NZ gay marriages are of Aussie couples|work=Gay News Network|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116071627/http://gaynewsnetwork.com.au/news/a-year-on-one-third-of-nz-gay-marriages-are-of-aussie-couples-13623.html|archive-date=16 January 2016}}</ref>

====Samoa====
Samoa is a deeply conservative Christian nation.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-15655855 "Samoa profile"], BBC, 17 July 2012</ref> In 2012, Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi was dismissive of the idea of same-sex marriage being adopted in Samoa, and indicated that he would not support it.<ref>[http://www.samoanews.com/?q=node/7554 "Gay marriage in Samoa? You're dreaming, PM says"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203033410/http://www.samoanews.com/?q=node%2F7554 |date=3 December 2013 }}, ''Samoa Observer'', 8 May 2012</ref> He reiterated this position, on explicitly religious grounds, in March 2013.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.samoaobserver.ws/samoans-abroad/4174-pm-firm-on-rejection-of-same-sex-marriage |title=PM firm on rejection of same sex marriage |publisher=Samoaobserver.ws |access-date=2 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180618082433/http://www.samoaobserver.ws/samoans-abroad/4174-pm-firm-on-rejection-of-same-sex-marriage |archive-date=18 June 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Religious recognition==
{{main|Religion:Religious views on same-sex marriage}}

The religious status of same-sex marriage has been changing since the late 20th century and varies greatly among different world religions. This section distinguishes religions that recognize same-sex marriage or unions in some way from those that do not. 

===Recognized===
Some religious institutions that recognize same-sex relationships avoid using the terms "marriages" or "weddings", and instead call them "blessings" or "unions."  Some religious groups allow individual congregations to set their own policies regarding the blessing of same-sex relationships.

The following institutions have recognized same-sex relationships in some fashion, either as individual congregations or as a denomination-wide policy:

====[[Religion:Christianity|Christianity]]====
* '''Anglicanism''' (See Homosexuality and Anglicanism): The Anglican Communion is divided over the issue of homosexuality. "The more liberal provinces that are open to changing Church doctrine on marriage in order to allow for same-sex unions include Brazil, Canada, New Zealand, Scotland, South India, South Africa, the US and Wales."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-35256193|title=Anglican communion's 'bitter divide' over gay rights|last=Wyatt|first=Caroline|date=11 January 2016|work=BBC News|access-date=13 June 2017|language=en-GB}}</ref>
** Anglican Church in New Zealand: In 2014, the "General Synod passe[d] a resolution that will create a pathway towards the blessing of same-gender relationships, while upholding the traditional doctrine of marriage...It therefore says clergy should be permitted [while the blessings are being developed] 'to recognise in public worship' a same-gender civil union or state marriage of members of their faith community..."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://anglicantaonga.org.nz/News/General-Synod/forward|title=Anglican Taonga : New Zealand's Anglican News Leader|last=Quiqcorp|website=anglicantaonga.org.nz|access-date=12 June 2017}}</ref> On a diocesan level, the Dunedin Diocese already permits a blessing for relationships irrespective of the partners' gender.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://calledsouth.org.nz/downloads/liturgical-resources/|title=Liturgical Resources {{!}} CalledSouth|website=calledsouth.org.nz|language=en-US|access-date=12 June 2017}}</ref> "Blessings of same-sex relationships are offered in line with [Dunedin] Diocesan Policy and with the bishop's permission."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.allsaintsdn.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Getting-Married-in-Dunedin-North-parish.pdf|title=Marriages in Dunedin North Anglican Parish|date=2016|website=allsaintsdn.org.nz|access-date=14 June 2017|archive-date=6 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170406184937/http://www.allsaintsdn.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Getting-Married-in-Dunedin-North-parish.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> In the Diocese of Auckland, a couple was "joined in a civil union at the inner-Auckland Anglican church of St Matthews in the City in 2005."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/27677/civil-union-2005|title=Civil union, 2005|last=Taonga|first=New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage Te Manatu|website=www.teara.govt.nz|language=en|access-date=12 June 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170413153151/http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/27677/civil-union-2005|archive-date=13 April 2017}}</ref>
** Anglican Church of Australia: The church does not have an official position on homosexuality.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/3226753.stm|title=BBC NEWS {{!}} Special Reports {{!}} Anglican Church around the world|website=BBC News|language=en-GB|access-date=5 July 2017}}</ref> In 2013, the Diocese of Perth voted to recognise same-sex relationships.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-10-07/anglicans-in-perth-vote-to-recognise-same-sex-marriages/5002762|title=Perth Anglicans vote to recognise same-sex relationships|date=7 October 2013|work=ABC News|access-date=5 July 2017|language=en-AU}}</ref> The Social Responsibilities Committee of the Anglican Church Southern Queensland supported "the ability for same-sex couples to have a legally recognised ceremony to mark their union."<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/samesex-marriage-arm-of-anglican-church-supports-civil-unions-in-queensland/news-story/914883183990f524e74e6eee6ba1e68e|title=Church comes out in support of gay marriage|access-date=5 July 2017}}</ref> The Diocese of Gippsland has appointed clergy in a "same-sex partnership."<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/comment/obituaries/bishop-whose-heart-lay-with-the-alien-and-the-outsider-20140615-3a5zm.html|title=Bishop whose heart 'lay with the alien and the outsider'|last=Porter|first=Muriel|date=16 June 2014|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=5 July 2017|language=en-US}}</ref> St. Andrew's Church in Subiaco, in Perth, has publicly blessed a same-sex union.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-10-08/christian-priest-running-lgbti-parish-service/7910020|title=Anglican priest running LGBTI parish service in Perth|date=8 October 2016|work=ABC News|access-date=5 July 2017|language=en-AU}}</ref>
** Anglican Church of Canada: In 2016, the Anglican Church of Canada voted to permit same-sex marriage after a vote recount.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/anglicans-to-allow-same-sex-marriage-after-vote-recount-1.3676140|title=Anglicans to allow same-sex marriage after vote recount|work=CBC News|access-date=12 June 2017|language=en}}</ref> The motion must pass a second reading in 2019 to become church law.<ref name="Anglican Church of Canada1">{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/anglican-church-same-sex-marriage-divide-1.3679056|title=Anglican Church will weather divide on same-sex marriage, officials say|last=Ireland|first=Nicole|date=14 July 2016|access-date=3 April 2017|publisher=CBC News}}</ref> The dioceses of Niagara and Ottawa announced that same-sex marriages could begin in their churches immediately.<ref name="DioceseOfNiagara">{{cite web|url=http://niagaraanglican.ca/news/bishop-issues-statement-after-general-synod-vote-on-the-marriage-canon|title=Statement After General Synod Vote on the Marriage Canon|publisher=Anglican Diocese of Niagara|access-date=3 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170309224412/http://niagaraanglican.ca/news/bishop-issues-statement-after-general-synod-vote-on-the-marriage-canon|archive-date=9 March 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="DioceseOfOttawa">{{cite web|url=http://us8.campaign-archive1.com/?u=4393514612b85bc118ee359b6&id=22021bb6f1|title=Bishop John's letter in response to General Synod's vote to amend Marriage Canon XXI.|access-date=3 April 2017}}</ref> Several other dioceses allow same-sex blessing ceremonies.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.anglicanjournal.com/articles/quebec-becomes-11th-diocese-to-offer-same-sex-blessings-11351|title=Quebec becomes 10th diocese to offer same-sex blessings|website=www.anglicanjournal.com|access-date=12 June 2017}}</ref>
** Anglican Church of Southern Africa: Clergy are not permitted to enter in same-sex marriages or civil unions, but the church "tolerates same-sex relationships if they are celibate."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jun/09/mpho-tutu-van-furth-its-painful-to-step-down-from-my-priestly-ministry|title=Desmond Tutu's daughter: 'painful' to give up ministry after marrying woman|last=Sherwood|first=Harriet |date=9 June 2016|work=The Guardian|access-date=5 July 2017|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}</ref> Archbishop Thabo Makgoba, the current Anglican Primate, is "one among few church leaders in Africa to support same-sex marriage..."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.christiantoday.com/article/why.this.archbishop.wept.when.his.church.rejected.gays/96936.htm|title=Why This Archbishop Wept When His Church Rejected Same-Sex Blessings {{!}} Christian News on Christian Today|website=www.christiantoday.com|language=en|access-date=5 July 2017}}</ref> The Diocese of Saldanha Bay has proposed a blessing for same-sex unions.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.anglicannews.org/news/2016/08/southern-african-synod-to-consider-blessing-same-sex-civil-unions.aspx|title=Southern African synod to consider blessing same-sex civil unions|website=www.anglicannews.org|language=en-gb|access-date=5 July 2017}}</ref>
** Church in Wales: Clergy are allowed to enter into same-sex civil partnerships, and there is no requirement of sexual abstinence.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/church-wales-looks-pension-rights-1811046|title=Church in Wales looks at pension rights for clerics' partners.|last=WalesOnline|date=15 September 2011|work=walesonline|access-date=12 June 2017}}</ref> In 2015, a majority of the General Synod of the Church in Wales voted for same-sex marriage.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.christiantoday.com/article/church.in.wales.shows.support.for.same.sex.marriage/65061.htm|title=Church in Wales shows support for same sex marriage {{!}} Christian News on Christian Today|website=www.christiantoday.com|language=en|access-date=12 June 2017}}</ref> Also, the "Church has published prayers that may be said with a couple following the celebration of a civil partnership or civil marriage."<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/church-wales-written-letter-gay-11148495|title=The Church in Wales has apologised to gay and lesbian people|last=James|first=David|date=6 April 2016|work=walesonline|access-date=12 June 2017}}</ref>
** Church of England: Since 2005, clergy are permitted to enter into same-sex civil partnerships, but are requested to give assurances of following the Bishops' guidelines on human sexuality.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/beds/bucks/herts/5236132.stm|title=BBC NEWS {{!}} UK {{!}} England {{!}} Beds/Bucks/Herts {{!}} Gay cleric's 'wedding' to partner|website=BBC News|date=August 2006 |access-date=12 June 2017}}</ref> In 2013, the House of Bishops announced that priests in same-sex civil unions may serve as bishops.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2013/01/05/world/uk-same-sex-bishops/index.html|title=Priests in same-sex relationships may become Anglican Bishops |author=Ben Brumfield|website=CNN|date=5 January 2013 |access-date=12 June 2017}}</ref> As for ceremonies in church, "clergy in the Church of England are permitted to offer prayers of support on a pastoral basis for people in same-sex relationships;<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.churchofengland.org/media-centre/news/2016/11/secretary-general-responds-to-gafcon-uk.aspx|title=Church of England News: Secretary General responds to GAFCON UK|work=Church of England News|access-date=2017-06-12|language=en}}</ref> many priests already bless same-sex unions on an unofficial basis.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/christianethics/samesexmarriage.shtml|title=BBC – Religions – Christianity: Same-sex marriage|access-date=2017-06-12}}</ref> Some congregations may offer "prayers for a same-sex commitment" or may "offer services of thanksgiving following a civil marriage ceremony."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.stmaryandstnicolas.org.uk/prayerssame.html|title=St Mary and St Nicolas – Prayers for Same Sex Couples|last=Bennett|first=John|website=www.stmaryandstnicolas.org.uk|language=en-gb|access-date=14 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.stjohnswaterloo.org/page/1572/weddings|title=Weddings|website=St John's, Waterloo|language=en-gb|access-date=14 June 2017}}</ref>
** Church of Ireland: In 2008, the Church of Ireland Pensions Board confirmed that it would treat civil partners the same as spouses.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/listening-process-vital-to-bring-gay-lesbian-clergy-in-from-margins-1.945021|title=Listening process vital to bring gay, lesbian clergy in from margins|newspaper=The Irish Times|access-date=12 June 2017|language=en-US}}</ref> In 2011, a minister of the Church of Ireland publicly entered into a same-sex civil partnership.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-14787854|title=Minister Rev Tom Gordon civil partnership 'welcomed'|date=5 September 2011|work=BBC News|access-date=12 June 2017|language=en-GB}}</ref>
** Episcopal Church (United States): At its 2015 triennial General Convention, the Episcopal Church voted overwhelmingly to allow religious weddings for same-sex couples. Many dioceses had previously allowed their priests to officiate at civil same-sex marriage ceremonies, but the church had not yet changed its own laws on marriage. The church law replaced the terms "husband" and "wife" with "the couple". Individual members of the clergy may still decline to perform same-sex weddings<ref name="EpiscopalChurch">{{cite web|url=http://www.latimes.com/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-episcopal-same-sex-marriage-20150701-story.html|work={{wipe|Los Angeles Times}}|title=Episcopal Church formally embraces same-sex marriage|date=1 July 2015|access-date=3 April 2017}}</ref> Previously, the Episcopal Church had voted to allow a "generous pastoral response" for couples in same-sex civil unions, domestic partnerships, and marriages.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.episcopalarchives.org/cgi-bin/acts/acts_resolution-complete.pl?resolution=2009-C056|title=Acts of Convention: Resolution # 2009-C056|website=www.episcopalarchives.org|language=en-US|access-date=12 June 2017}}</ref>
** Scottish Episcopal Church: Since 2008, St. Mary's Cathedral in Glasgow has offered blessing services for same-sex civil partnerships.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://weddings.thecathedral.org.uk/2011/04/02/same-sex-nuptials/|title=Same-Sex Nuptials|date=2 April 2011|website=Weddings at St Mary's Cathedral, Glasgow|access-date=14 June 2017}}</ref> The Scottish Episcopal Church agreed to bless same-sex marriages in 2015.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.kaleidoscot.com/same-sex-wedding-blessed-in-dundee-cathedral-4251|title=Same-sex wedding blessed in Dundee Cathedral|work=KaleidoScot|access-date=13 June 2017|language=en-US}}</ref> In 2016, the General Synod voted to amend the marriage canon to include same-sex couples.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-36498967|title=Scottish Episcopal Church takes gay marriage step|date=10 June 2016|work=BBC News|access-date=13 June 2017|language=en-GB}}</ref> The proposal was approved in a second reading in 2017, and same-sex marriages may be legally performed in the Scottish Episcopal Church.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=http://time.com/4812103/scottish-episcopal-church-same-sex-marriage/|title=The Scottish Episcopal Church Just Voted to Allow Same-Sex Marriage|last=Abrams|first=Abigail|magazine=Time|access-date=13 June 2017}}</ref>
* '''[[Religion:Baptists|Baptists]]''' (See: Homosexuality and Baptist churches): Because some Baptist churches operate on a congregational level, some individual churches may recognize same-sex unions. Baptist churches which recognize same-sex unions include:
** '''Alliance of Baptists'''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://allianceofbaptists.org/documents/SameSexMarriage2004.pdf|title=The Alliance of Baptists: Statement on Same-Sex Marriage|date=17 April 2004|access-date=3 April 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160826200902/http://allianceofbaptists.org/documents/SameSexMarriage2004.pdf|archive-date=26 August 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.christianpost.com/news/historic-baptist-church-hires-same-sex-couple-to-lead-congregation-in-nations-capital-172801/|title=Historic Baptist Church Hires Same-Sex Couple to Lead Congregation in Nation's Capital|last=Gryboski|first=Michael|date=11 January 2017|access-date=3 April 2017|work=[[Religion:The Christian Post|The Christian Post]]}}</ref>
** '''Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists'''
* '''Latter Day Saint movement'''
** '''Community of Christ''': In 2013, the Community of Christ officially decided to extend the sacrament of marriage to same-sex couples where gay marriage is legal, to provide covenant commitment ceremonies where it is not legal, and to allow the ordination of people in same-sex relationships to the priesthood. However, this is only in the United States, Canada, and Australia. The church does have a presence in countries where homosexuality is punishable by law, even death, so for the protection of the members in those nations, full inclusion of LGBT individuals is limited to the countries where this is not the case. Individual viewpoints do vary, and some congregations may be more welcoming than others. Furthermore, the church has proponents for support of both traditional marriage and same-sex marriages. The First Presidency and the Council of Twelve will need to approve policy revisions recommended by the USA National Conference.<ref name="cofchrist.org">{{cite web |url=http://www.cofchrist.org/usaconf/ |title=USA National Conference |publisher=Cofchrist.org |date=31 March 2014 |access-date=6 June 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110701151659/http://www.cofchrist.org/usaconf/ |archive-date=1 July 2011 }}</ref><ref>[http://www.kshb.com/news/region-missouri/independence/community-of-christ-church-to-allow-same-sex-marriages-commitment-ceremonies Community of Christ Church to allow same-sex marriages, commitment ceremonies], KSHB-TV, 21 April 2013</ref>
* '''[[Religion:Lutheranism|Lutheranism]]''' (See [[Religion:Homosexuality and Lutheranism|Homosexuality and Lutheranism]]):
** '''Church of Norway''': In 2013, the bishops announced that they would allow "gay couples to receive church blessings for their civil unions..."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thelocal.no/20131211/norways-priests-call-for-gay-marriage|title=Norway's priests call for gay marriage service|date=11 December 2013|access-date=12 June 2017|language=en}}</ref> In 2017, the Church of Norway decided to allow same-sex marriages to be performed in churches.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-norway-gaymarriage-idUSKBN15E1O2|title=Norway's Lutheran Church embraces same-sex marriage|last=Fouche|first=Gwladys|date=31 January 2017|website=reuters.com}}</ref>
** '''Church of Sweden''': On 22 October 2009, the governing board of the Church of Sweden voted 176–62<ref name="FOX">[http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,569107,00.html Church of Sweden Priests to Wed Gay Couples in Gender-Neutral Ceremonies] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023134953/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,569107,00.html |date=23 October 2012 }}, Fox News, 22 October 2009.</ref> in favour of allowing its priests to wed same-sex couples in new gender-neutral church ceremonies, including the use of the term ''marriage''.<ref name="dn.se">[http://www.dn.se/nyheter/sverige/kyrkomotet-oppnade-for-homovigslar-1.979744] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091226085746/http://www.dn.se/nyheter/sverige/kyrkomotet-oppnade-for-homovigslar-1.979744|date=26 December 2009}}</ref><ref>[http://www.upi.com/Top_News/International/2009/10/22/Church-of-Sweden-to-conduct-gay-weddings/UPI-59671256256299/ Church of Sweden to conduct gay weddings], UPI, 22 October 2009.</ref> Same-sex marriages in the church will be available starting 1 November 2009.<ref name="AFP">[https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gBRXyAD2aAX4i7H5M0LujkDR0RhQ Sweden's Lutheran church to celebrate gay weddings], AFP via Google News, 22 October 2009.</ref>
** '''Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD)''': The EKD is a federation of twenty Protestant churches in Germany. The blessing of same-sex unions is allowed in 18 of the 20 constituent member churches.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.huk.org/cms/front_content.php?idart=352|title=HuK e. V. {{!}} Ökumenische Arbeitsgruppe Homosexuelle und Kirche|last=Wiedemann|first=Dennis|website=www.huk.org|language=de|access-date=12 June 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170617220836/https://www.huk.org/cms/front_content.php?idart=352|archive-date=17 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.evangelisch.de/inhalte/111225/20-11-2014/segnung-homosexueller-bunt-wie-ein-regenbogen|title=Segnung Homosexueller: Bunt wie ein Regenbogen|website=www.evangelisch.de|language=de|access-date=12 June 2017}}</ref>
** '''Evangelical Lutheran Church in America''': During its 2009 Churchwide Assembly the ELCA passed a resolution by a vote of 619–402 reading "Resolved, that the ELCA commit itself to finding ways to allow congregations that choose to do so to recognize, support and hold publicly accountable lifelong, monogamous, same-gender relationships."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Office-of-the-Secretary/ELCA-Governance/Churchwide-Assembly/Actions/Voting.aspx#MP |title=Brief Summary of Actions, Eleventh ELCA Churchwide Assembly |publisher=ecla.org |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023102754/http://www.elca.org/Who-We-Are/Our-Three-Expressions/Churchwide-Organization/Office-of-the-Secretary/ELCA-Governance/Churchwide-Assembly/Actions/Voting.aspx |archive-date=23 October 2012 }}</ref>
** '''Evangelical Lutheran Church in Denmark''': In 2012, the Danish parliament voted to make same-sex marriages mandatory in all state churches. Individual priests may refuse to perform the ceremony, but the local bishop must organize a replacement.<ref name="ChurchOfDenmark">{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/denmark/9317447/Gay-Danish-couples-win-right-to-marry-in-church.html|title=Gay Danish couples win right to marry in church|work=The Daily Telegraph|last=Orange|first=Richard|date=7 June 2012|access-date=3 April 2017}}</ref>
** '''Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland''': The church does not currently allow same-sex marriages to be legally officiated in churches. However, couples may enter in a civil partnership and "the couple may organise prayers with a priest or other church workers and invited guests. This may take place on church premises – but practice varies from parish to parish."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://notes.evl.fi/EVLen.nsf/Documents/58821FD65B63B14DC2257C2A00478B57?OpenDocument&lang=EN|title=Registered partnerships {{!}} Evl.fi – Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland|website=notes.evl.fi|access-date=12 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171025190358/http://notes.evl.fi/EVLen.nsf/Documents/58821FD65B63B14DC2257C2A00478B57?OpenDocument&lang=EN|archive-date=25 October 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> After a civil same-sex marriage, couples may request the same prayers in church. "All of the bishops have taken the position that it is possible to hold prayer services to bless same-sex couples."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://yle.fi/uutiset/osasto/news/bishops_divided_over_same-sex_marriage/9206052|title=Bishops divided over same-sex marriage|work=Yle Uutiset|access-date=12 June 2017|language=en}}</ref>
** '''Federation of Swiss Protestant Churches''': This is a group of 26 member churches. Several of its member churches permit prayer services and blessings of same-sex civil unions.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ref-ag.ch/meine-kirche/segnungsfeiern.php|title=Segnungsfeiern – Reformierte Landeskirche Aargau|last=Informationsdienst|first=Reformierte Landeskirche Aargau, 5001 Aarau|website=www.ref-ag.ch|access-date=12 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.evangelisch.de/inhalte/122853/14-07-2015/ehe-fuer-alle-homosexuelle-machen-die-ehe-stark-homo-ehe|title=Homosexuelle machen die Ehe stark|website=www.evangelisch.de|language=de|access-date=12 June 2017}}</ref>
** '''Protestant Church in the Netherlands''': The church has allowed the blessing of same-sex unions since 2001.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2001/julyweb-only/7-16-44.0.html|title=Church Federation in the Netherlands Closes in on Blessing Same-Sex Unions|work=ChristianityToday.com|access-date=12 June 2017|language=en}}</ref> This has included the blessing of same-sex unions as well as marriages.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.christianpost.com/news/protestant-church-in-netherlands-to-grant-blessings-to-gay-couples-8236/|title=Protestant Church in Netherlands to Grant ''Blessings'' to Gay Couples|website=www.christianpost.com|date=27 November 2004 |language=en|access-date=12 June 2017}}</ref>
** The '''United Protestant Church of France''' authorised the blessing of same-sex unions by pastors in May 2015, two years after the government legalized same-sex marriages. Individual vicars may refuse to perform same-sex marriage ceremonies.{{citation needed|date=December 2020}}
* The '''Metropolitan Community Church''' perform same-sex marriages. The MCC was founded to support LGBT Christians. In 1968, MCC founder Rev. Troy Perry officiated the first public same-sex marriage ceremony in the United States, though it was not legally recognized at the time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://laist.com/2015/06/26/the_first_gay_marriage_in_the_us_wa.php|publisher=LAist|last=Bennett Rylah|first=Juliet|date=26 June 2015|access-date=3 April 2017|title=The First Gay Marriage in the U.S. Took Place in Los Angeles in 1968|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150629191134/http://laist.com/2015/06/26/the_first_gay_marriage_in_the_us_wa.php|archive-date=29 June 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://ourhopemcc.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/MCCSame-SexMarriageDates-Part.pdf|title=Rev. Troy Perry: The Father of Marriage Equality|last=Birkitt|first=James|access-date=3 April 2017}}</ref>
* '''[[Religion:Methodism|Methodism]]'''
** Methodist Church of Great Britain: In 2005, the Methodist Church voted to bless same-sex unions;<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2005/jun/30/religion.gayrights|title=Methodist leaders vote to bless gay couples|last1=Bates|first1=Stephen|date=30 June 2005|work=The Guardian|access-date=12 June 2017|last2=correspondent|first2=religious affairs|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}</ref> while the word 'blessing' was not ultimately used, the Methodist Church did confirm that, for same-sex unions, "prayers of thanksgiving or celebration may be said, and there may be informal services of thanksgiving or celebration."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.methodist.org.uk/who-we-are/views-of-the-church/human-sexuality/talking-of-marriage-and-relationships/frequently-asked-questions-marriage-and-relationships|title=Frequently Asked Questions – Marriage and Relationships|website=www.methodist.org.uk|language=en|access-date=12 June 2017}}</ref> Clergy are allowed to enter into same-sex civil partnerships or marriages.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.methodist.org.uk/news-and-events/news-releases/methodist-conference-receives-report-on-same-sex-marriage|title=Methodist Conference receives report on same-sex marriage|website=www.methodist.org.uk|language=en|access-date=12 June 2017}}</ref>
** Methodist Church of New Zealand: Clergy may enter into same-sex unions.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.methodist.org.nz/touchstone/lead_articles/2004/august_2004/civil_unions|title=Civil Union Zealand Methodist Same-sex marriage|website=www.methodist.org.nz|language=en-US|access-date=12 June 2017}}</ref>
** Methodist Church of Southern Africa: In Southern Africa, the Methodist Church has allowed clergy in same-sex relationships, but they are not permitted to be in a same-sex marriage. The Methodist "Church allowed [clergy] to be in a homosexual relationship whilst being a minister, and allowed [clergy] to stay in the Church's manse with [their] partner, but drew the line at recognising [their] same-sex marriage."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.methodist.org.za/sites/default/files/fileuploads/Judgment%20-%20CCT%20223-14%20-%20De%20Lange%20v%20Presiding%20Bishop%20of%20the%20Methodist%20Chu...%20%282%29.pdf|title=CONSTITUTIONAL COURT OF SOUTH AFRICA|date=24 November 2015|website=methodist.org.za}}{{Dead link|date=May 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=no }}</ref> "The Methodist Church 'tolerates homosexuals' and even accepts same-sex relationships (as long as such relationships are not solemnised by marriage)..."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/opinionista/2015-11-24-the-methodist-church-is-confused-and-irrational/#.WT8gLLSJnlI|title=The Methodist Church is confused and irrational {{!}} Daily Maverick|website=www.dailymaverick.co.za|date=24 November 2015 |language=en|access-date=12 June 2017}}</ref>
* '''Old Catholic Church''': A group of churches which separated from Roman Catholicism over the issue of papal authority.
** Many American Old Catholic churches perform same-sex marriage ceremonies.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.advocate.com/politics/religion/2013/10/03/alternative-way-be-catholic-and-lgbt|publisher=The Advocate|date=3 October 2013|access-date=3 April 2017|last=Ring|first=Trudy|title=An Alternative Way to Be Catholic – and LGBT}}</ref>
** The Union of Utrecht of the Old Catholic Churches is a federation of six European Old Catholic organizations, four of which allow same-sex marriage ceremonies.{{citation needed|date=April 2017}}
* '''[[Religion:Presbyterianism|Presbyterianism]]''' (See Homosexuality and Presbyterianism):
** Church of Scotland: In 2015, the Kirk voted to allow congregations to ordain clergy who enter into same-sex civil partnerships.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-32760416|title=Church of Scotland votes to allow gay ministers in civil partnerships|date=16 May 2015|work=BBC News|access-date=12 June 2017|language=en-GB}}</ref> The General Assembly voted to allow clergy in same-sex marriages in 2016.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/may/21/church-of-scotland-ministers-same-sex-marriages|title=Church of Scotland votes to allow ministers to be in same-sex marriages|agency=Press Association|date=21 May 2016|work=The Guardian|access-date=12 June 2017|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}</ref> Then, the General Assembly approved a report requesting churches to be able to perform same-sex marriages in church.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-40036225|title=Kirk's General Assembly moves towards allowing gay marriage|date=25 May 2017|work=BBC News|access-date=12 June 2017|language=en-GB}}</ref>
** The Presbyterian Church (USA), the largest Presbyterian group in the United States, voted to allow same-gender marriages on 19 June 2014. This vote allows pastors to perform marriages in jurisdictions where same-sex marriages are legally recognized. Additionally, the Assembly voted to send out a proposed amendment to the Book of Order, changing the description of marriage from "between a man and a woman" to "between two people, traditionally between a man and a woman." This amendment needed to be approved by a majority of the 172 Presbyteries to take effect.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Van Marter|first1=Jerry|title=Assembly approves allowing pastors to perform same-gender marriage where legal Sends proposed constitutional amendment changing marriage definition|url=https://www.pcusa.org/news/2014/6/19/assembly-approves-allowing-pastors-perform-same-ge/|website=www.pcusa.org|date=19 June 2014 |publisher=General Assembly News|access-date=19 July 2014}}</ref> On 17 March 2015, the New Jersey-based Presbytery of the Palisade became the 87th presbytery to approve the ratification, making the change official.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Goodstein|first1=Laurie|title=Largest Presbyterian Denomination Gives Final Approval for Same-Sex Marriage|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/18/us/presbyterians-give-final-approval-for-same-sex-marriage.html?_r=0 |work=The New York Times|access-date=18 March 2015|date=17 March 2015}}</ref>
* '''[[Religion:Quakers|Quakerism]]''' (See Homosexuality and Quakerism)
** The Canadian Yearly Meeting supports the right of same-sex couples to marry.{{citation needed|date=April 2017}}
** Several American Quaker groups bless same-sex marriages.{{citation needed|date=April 2017}}
* '''Roman Catholic Church''': On 18 December 2023, in response to a formal request for clarity on matters of church doctrine, the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith issued a declaration called ''[[Religion:Fiducia supplicans|Fiducia supplicans]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2023/12/18/0901/01963.html#en|title=Declaration Fiducia Supplicans On the Pastoral Meaning of Blessings Presentation|website=press.vatican.va|language=en-US|access-date=31 December 2023}}</ref> While reaffirming that only opposite-sex couples may receive the sacrament of marriage, it affirms that priests and deacons may bless same-sex couples (whether civilly married or not), unmarried opposite-sex couples, and civilly married couples in which at least one party had been divorced.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2023/12/18/0901/01963.html#en|title=Declaration Fiducia Supplicans On the Pastoral Meaning of Blessings Presentation|website=press.vatican.va|language=en-US|access-date=31 December 2023}}</ref>
* '''United Church of Canada''': The General Council of the church accepts same-sex marriages. However, each individual congregation is free to develop its own marriage policies.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.united-church.ca/community-faith/welcome-united-church-canada/what-we-believe|access-date=4 April 2017|publisher=The United Church of Canada|title=What We Believe}}</ref>
* '''United Church of Christ''': In 2005, the General Synod adopted a resolution supporting equal access to marriage for all couples, regardless of gender. This resolution encouraged (but did not require) individual congregations to adopt policies supporting equal marriage rights for same-sex couples.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uccfiles.com/pdf/2005-EQUAL-MARRIAGE-RIGHTS-FOR-ALL.pdf|title=Equal Marriage Rights for All|publisher=United Church of Christ|date=4 July 2005|access-date=4 April 2017}}</ref>

====[[Religion:Judaism|Judaism]]====
* '''Conservative Judaism''': In 2012, the Committee on Jewish Law and Standards approved two model wedding ceremonies which can be adapted for the needs of same-sex couples. In 2013, the Rabbinical Assembly noted that they recognize both same-sex and opposite-sex marriages. However, individual synagogues are not required to adopt these policies, and may not perform marriages for same-sex couples.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hrc.org/resources/stances-of-faiths-on-lgbt-issues-conservative-judaism|publisher=Human Rights Campaign|title=Stances of Faiths on LGBTQ issues: Conservative Judaism|date= 31 May 2016|access-date=4 April 2017}}</ref>
* '''Reconstructionist Judaism''': Of the four leading Jewish denominations, Reconstructionist Judaism is often considered the most welcoming of LGBT people. In 2004, the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association approved a resolution supporting civil marriage rights for same-sex couples.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hrc.org/resources/stances-of-faiths-on-lgbt-issues-reconstructionist-judaism|publisher=Human Rights Campaign|title=Stances of Faiths on LGBT Issues: Reconstructionist Judaism|date=12 November 2014|access-date=4 April 2017}}</ref> 
* '''Reform Judaism''': Reform Judaism is the largest Jewish denomination in the United States, and is generally welcoming to LGBT people. In 1996, the Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR) announced its support for civil same-sex marriage rights. This was followed by a similar resolution from the Union for Reform Judaism in 1997. In 2000, the CCAR gave its full support to rabbis who officiate same-sex weddings. This resolution also recognizes that some Reform rabbis will not officiate same-sex weddings.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hrc.org/resources/stances-of-faiths-on-lgbt-issues-reform-judaism|publisher=Human Rights Campaign|title=Stances of Faiths on LGBT Issues: Reform Judaism|date=19 November 2015|access-date=4 April 2017}}</ref>

====Other====
* '''Afro-Brazilian religions''': These faiths may support same-sex marriages, but this is up to individual interpretation. They historically tend to have been openly LGBT-positive even among variants heavily influenced by Christianity and Allan Kardec's [[Unsolved:Spiritism|Spiritism]].<ref name="brazil">{{cite web|url=http://www.midiaindependente.org/pt/red/2008/10/430589.shtml|title=CMI Brasil – Religião e Homossexualidade|work=midiaindependente.org}}</ref>
** '''[[Religion:Umbanda|Umbanda]]''' priests and priestesses may marry same-sex couples. One priestess describes same-sex marriages by saying "In umbanda this is accepted... We carry out marriages of love."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.congressonacionaldeumbanda.com.br/site/|title=Congresso Nacional de Umbanda|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140529052921/http://www.congressonacionaldeumbanda.com.br/site/|archive-date=29 May 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pri.org/stories/2011-06-23/brazil-gays-celebrate-first-mass-wedding|last=Barnes|first=Taylor|title=Brazil gays celebrate first mass wedding|publisher=Public Radio International|date=23 June 2011|access-date=5 April 2017}}</ref>
* '''[[Religion:Buddhism|Buddhism]]''' (See Buddhism and sexual orientation): Because Buddhism has no central authority, there is no general consensus on same-sex marriage within Buddhism.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hrc.org/resources/stances-of-faiths-on-lgbt-issues-buddhism|title=Stances of Faiths on LGBTQ Issues: Buddhism|publisher=Human Rights Campaign|access-date=5 April 2017}}</ref> The world's first Buddhist same-sex marriage was performed at a San Francisco Jodo Shinshu temple in the 1970s, and the introduction of same-sex marriages in the Buddhist Churches of America was not controversial.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://berkleycenter.georgetown.edu/responses/buddha-s-big-shrug-the-non-conflictual-history-of-same-sex-marriage-in-the-buddhist-churches-of-america |title=Buddha's Big Shrug: The Non-Conflictual History of Same-Sex Marriage in the Buddhist Churches of America| last=Wilson |first=Jeff |date=20 June 2018|access-date=14 July 2023}}</ref> Same-sex marriages are performed at Shunkō-in, a Rinzai Zen Buddhist temple in [[Place:Kyoto|Kyoto]], Japan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/shunkoin-temple-gay-marriage_us_56290990e4b0aac0b8fbeb01|title=Buddhist Priest Invites Same-Sex Couples To Marry at His Temple|work=The Huffington Post|date=22 October 2015|access-date=5 April 2017|last=Kure|first=Rena}}</ref> American Soka Gakkai Buddhists have performed same-sex union ceremonies since the 1990s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.latimes.com/1995-07-01/local/me-19075_1_buddhist-groups|title=U.S. Buddhist Group Approves Marriage-Like Rights for Gays|work={{wipe|Los Angeles Times}}|date=1 July 1995|access-date=5 April 2017|last=Dart|first=John}}</ref>
* '''[[Religion:Hinduism|Hinduism]]''' (See [[Religion:Hinduism and LGBT topics|Hinduism and LGBT topics]]): Because there is no central authority in Hinduism, attitudes toward same-sex marriage vary greatly. Some Hindu groups recognize same-sex marriages.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hrc.org/resources/stances-of-faiths-on-lgbt-issues-hinduism|publisher=Human Rights Campaign|title=Stances of Faiths on LGBTQ Issues: Hinduism|date=10 June 2015|access-date=5 April 2017}}</ref> Srinivasa Raghavachariar, head priest of the Srirangam temple, believes that same-sex lovers were cross-sex lovers in their former lives. In 2002, a Shaiva priest was interviewed after performing a same-sex wedding; he stated that marriage is a union of two spirits, which are neither male nor female. Hinduism has long acknowledged people of a "third gender", which would include people categorized as homosexual, bisexual, and transgender in the Western World. However, many Hindu groups do not support same-sex marriage or relationships.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.patheos.com/blogs/whitehindu/2013/04/marriage-equality-and-hinduism/|title=Marriage Equality and Hinduism|last=Choate|first=Ambaa|date=18 April 2013|access-date=5 April 2017|publisher=Patheos}}</ref>
* Many Japanese new religions – individual interpretation in spite of some commonly-held heterosexist instances in many, such as for example [[Religion:Seicho-no-Ie|Seicho-no-Ie]].<ref name="brazil"/>
* Neo-Pagan
* [[Philosophy:Raëlism|Raëlism]]
* [[Unsolved:Spiritism|Spiritism]] – individual interpretation. Heterosexist instances common, but not to the point of supporting discrimination.<ref name="brazil"/>
* '''[[Philosophy:Unitarian Universalism|Unitarian Universalism]]''': In 1984, the Unitarian Universalist Association overwhelmingly voted to approve religious blessings of same-sex unions. They became the first major American church to do so.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1984/06/29/us/around-the-nation-unitarians-endorse-homosexual-marriages.html|title=Around the Nation- Unitarians Endorse Homosexual Marriages|work=The New York Times|date=29 June 1984|access-date=5 April 2017}}</ref>

===Not recognized===
The following religious traditions or institutions do not recognize same-sex marriage or unions in any congregation, and may view same-sex relationships as immoral.

====Christianity====
* '''Anglicanism''' (See Homosexuality and Anglicanism): Many of the provinces in the Anglican Communion do not permit same-sex marriages or unions.{{citation needed|date=April 2017}}
* '''Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints''' (LDS Church): See Homosexuality and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The LDS Church teaches that same-sex relationships are immoral. In 2015, a change to the Church's handbook declared that same-sex couples are apostates, meriting excommunication. It also stated that children of same-sex couples are to be denied rites until they turn 18 and choose to disavow their parents' marriage. The LDS Church teaches that this policy change is a result of divine revelation to the Church's prophets and apostles.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/it-feels-much-more-personal-than-the-churchs-previous_us_58cc2f56e4b07112b6472d3c|work=Huffington Post|last=Oesterblad|first=Jacqui|title=It feels much more personal than the Church's previous stance against homosexuality|date=17 March 2017|access-date=6 April 2017}}</ref> The LDS church has fought against legal recognition of same-sex marriages in both the United States and Mexico.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kutv.com/news/local/defeated-in-the-us-lds-church-takes-fight-against-same-sex-marriage-to-mexico|publisher=KUTV|date=1 June 2016|access-date=6 April 2017|last=Harris|first=Jeremy|title=Defeated in the U.S., LDS Church takes fight against same-sex marriage to Mexico}}</ref> 
* '''[[Religion:Eastern Orthodox Church|Eastern Orthodox Church]]''': The world's second-largest Christian group does not recognize or perform same-sex marriages. The church considers same-sex relationships to be "immoral and inappropriate" and an attack on "the institution of marriage and the family."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hrc.org/resources/stances-of-faiths-on-lgbt-issues-eastern-orthodox-church|title=Stances of Faiths on LGBTQ Issues: Eastern Orthodox Church|publisher=Human Rights Campaign|date=1 July 2015|access-date=6 April 2017}}</ref>
* '''Evangelical Free Church of America''': The church teaches that "all homosexual acts are sinful" and does not recognize any form of same-sex unions.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://go.efca.org/sites/default/files/resources/docs/2013/05/a_church_statement_on_human_sexuality_3.pdf|title=A Church Statement on Human Sexuality|date=May 2013|access-date=6 April 2017|publisher=Evangelical Free Church of America}}</ref>
* '''[[Religion:Lutheranism|Lutheranism]]''' (See [[Religion:Homosexuality and Lutheranism|Homosexuality and Lutheranism]]). Lutheran groups which do not recognize same-sex unions include:
** Association of Free Lutheran Congregations{{citation needed|date=April 2017}}
** Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Poland{{citation needed|date=April 2017}}
** Evangelical Lutheran Church of England{{citation needed|date=April 2017}}
** Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia{{citation needed|date=April 2017}}
** Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church{{citation needed|date=April 2017}}
** Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lithuania{{citation needed|date=April 2017}}
** Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Slovakia{{citation needed|date=April 2017}}
** Evangelical Lutheran Free Church (Germany){{citation needed|date=April 2017}}
** Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod{{citation needed|date=April 2017}}
** North American Lutheran Church{{citation needed|date=April 2017}}
** Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod{{citation needed|date=April 2017}}
* '''[[Religion:Methodism|Methodism]]''' (See [[Religion:Homosexuality and Methodism|Homosexuality and Methodism]]):
** The '''United Methodist Church''' officially prohibits same-sex marriages, but some ministers have performed same-sex marriage ceremonies in violation of the Methodist ''Book of Discipline''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.charlotteobserver.com/living/religion/article73685782.html|publisher=The Charlotte Observe|title=Charlotte gay wedding defies United Methodist Church rules|last=Funk|first=Tim|date=24 April 2016|access-date=6 April 2017}}</ref> In 2016, the Western Division of the church elected an openly gay bishop in defiance of the church's rules. This came after a 2016 vote for a "full review" on the church's laws on sexuality, which is expected to take at least two years.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/07/16/486300173/united-methodist-church-elects-first-openly-gay-bishop-in-defiance-of-church-rul|title=United Methodist Church Elects First Openly Gay Bishop, In Defiance of Church Rules|publisher=NPR|date=16 July 2016|access-date=6 April 2017}}</ref>
* Numerous non-denominational churches{{citation needed|date=April 2017}}
* '''Oriental Orthodoxy''' is a communion of six independent churches. They teach that same-sex sexual activity is sinful, and does not support any form of same-sex unions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hrc.org/resources/stances-of-faiths-on-lgbt-issues-oriental-orthodox-churches|date=6 July 2015|access-date=7 April 2017|title=Stances of Faiths on LGBTQ Issues: Oriental Orthodox Church|publisher=Human Rights Campaign|archive-date=26 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170426224353/http://www.hrc.org/resources/stances-of-faiths-on-lgbt-issues-oriental-orthodox-churches|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* '''[[Religion:Pentecostalism|Pentecostalism]]''': Pentecostalism is an umbrella term for several different organizations. Historically, Pentecostal churches have condemned homosexuality, and most Pentecostal denominations have doctrinal statements condemning it.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hrc.org/resources/stances-of-faiths-on-lgbt-issues-pentecostals|publisher=Human Rights Campaign|access-date=7 April 2017|title=Stances of Faiths on LGBTQ Issues: Pentecostals}}</ref>
* '''[[Religion:Presbyterianism|Presbyterianism]]''' (See Homosexuality and Presbyterianism):
** The '''Presbyterian Church in America''' does not recognize same-sex unions and teaches that same-sex sexual activity is immoral. Their official policies state that "God's intent and design in creation was that... sexual expression would be between a male and female only".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hrc.org/resources/stances-of-faiths-on-lgbt-issues-presbyterian-church-in-america|title=Stances of Faiths on LGBTQ Issues: Presbyterian Church in America|date=24 November 2014|access-date=7 April 2017|publisher=Human Rights Campaign|archive-date=22 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322123420/http://www.hrc.org/resources/stances-of-faiths-on-lgbt-issues-presbyterian-church-in-america|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* '''[[Religion:Quakers|Quakers]]''': Many Quaker groups do not recognize same-sex unions.{{citation needed|date=April 2017}}
* '''Southern Baptist Convention''': The largest Protestant denomination in the United States opposes both civil and religious marriage equality for same-sex couples. Southern Baptist ministers are prohibited from blessing same-sex unions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hrc.org/resources/stances-of-faiths-on-lgbt-issues-southern-baptist-convention|access-date=7 April 2017|title=Stances of Faiths on LGBTQ Issues: Southern Baptist Convention|publisher=Human Rights Campaign}}</ref>

====Judaism====
* [[Religion:Orthodox Judaism|Orthodox Judaism]]{{citation needed|date=April 2017}}

====Islam====
{{further|Religion:LGBT in Islam}}

====Others====
* Bahá'í
* [[Religion:Hinduism|Hinduism]]: Many Hindu groups do not recognize same-sex unions.{{citation needed|date=April 2017}}
* [[Religion:Sikhism|Sikhism]]<ref>{{cite news|author=Puneet Singh Lamba |url=http://www.sikhtimes.com/news_022005a.html |title=The supreme body of Sikhism condemned same-sex marriage in 2005 |publisher=Sikhtimes.com |access-date=2 December 2013}}</ref>

==See also==
* Blessing of same-sex unions in Christian churches
* Divorce of same-sex couples – legal aspects, divorce rates
* [[Social:LGBT adoption|LGBT adoption]]
* [[Social:Marriage law|Marriage law]]
* [[Social:Marriage privatization|Marriage privatization]]
* Religion and sexuality
* Same-sex controversy in the U.S. Census 2000
* [[Social:Same-sex marriage|Same-sex marriage]]
* [[Philosophy:Societal attitudes toward homosexuality|Societal attitudes toward homosexuality]]
* Timeline of same-sex marriage
* Uniting American Families Act

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Status of Same-Sex Marriage}}
[[Category:Marriage law]]

{{Sourceattribution|Legal status of same-sex marriage}}