When was gay marriage legalized around the world

Same-sex marriage, also known as gay marriage, is the marriage of two people of the same legal sex. As of , marriage between same-sex couples is legally performed and recognized in 38 countries, with a total population of billion people (20% of the world's population). Same-sex marriage became legal through a separate process in Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark, in A court ruling made Ecuador the fifth South American country to allow gay and lesbian couples to wed.

In , the Netherlands became the very first country to ever legalize gay marriage. That was only eighteen years ago, meaning that the legalization of gay marriage is an up-and-coming change in the world as of less than two decades ago. Since , when the Netherlands became the first country to legalize same-sex marriage, there have been ramped-up efforts worldwide to pass similar legislation.

Taiwan, for instance, became. Since the Netherlands became the first country to legalize same-sex marriage in , more than 30 countries around the world have followed suit. On Feb. 15, , Greece moved to become the. Same-sex couples were already allowed to form civil partnerships before the ruling. Just after midnight on 1 April , four couples - Anne-Marie Thus and Helene Faasen, and three male couples - were married by the mayor of Amsterdam, Job Cohen, in the first legal gay marriage ceremony in the world.

The law went into effect in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic and the service was performed by a notary wearing a mask. Uruguay passed legislation allowing same-sex marriage in Punishments range from imprisonment to corporal punishment, and in some cases, death. Scientists are debating whether it's possible to harness the power of gravity for interstellar space travel. The Swiss Parliament overwhelmingly voted to legalize same-sex marriage on December 16, Pride Flag Costa Rica.

Germany gave full marital rights to homosexual couples in a vote that Chancellor Angela Merkel voted against. Nearly 30 countries have officially legalized gay marriage. Jul 13, PM. Source: The Australian. Hollande's signature had to wait until a court challenge brought by the conservative opposition party, the UMP, was resolved.

Countries where gay marriage is illegal

Become an Insider and start reading now. Although 15 countries in Europe have legalized same-sex marriage, the continent remains divided as no country in central or eastern Europe recognize these types of unions. ABC News. Sponsored Content by Taboola. Source: The Guardian. Slovenia became the first post-communist country to legalize it on October 4, , after the Constitutional Court of Slovenia overturned a prior ban on same-sex marriages in July, arguing that it violated the country's constitution.

In , the Canadian Parliament passed legislation making same-sex marriage legal nationwide. The country's highest court approved same-sex marriage on June 12, , marking the 50th anniversary of the worldwide gay equality movement. The co-pilot of the Germanwings flight that crashed into the French Alps on Tuesday was in sole control of plane and intentionally started its descent, officials say.

Thousands of Irish emigrants had traveled home to participate in the popular vote. The Swiss Parliament adopted a bill that recognized same-sex marriage on Dec. Also in , a closely divided Spanish parliament agreed to do the same. Up until then, Mexico City had been the only place in the region where same-sex marriage was allowed. Jul 14, AM.