Where is gay marraige legal
Same-sex marriage represents a critical milestone in the LGBTQ+ rights movement, allowing couples of the equal sex to legally marry and acquire the same marital benefits as heterosexual couples. The journey towards legalization has been varied across the globe, influenced by cultural, religious, and political factors. In some regions, the push for marriage equality has gained significant traction and achieved legal recognition, often after prolonged public and legal battles.
While entire marriage equality is celebrated in many places, an alternative approach through civil unions or household partnerships persists in others. These frameworks typically grant a subset of rights that marriage suggestions, focusing on aspects like property rights or hospital visitation. However, they often fall short in areas such as inheritance, pension rights, and parental responsibilities, highlighting a gap in the legal recognition of relationships.
The acceptance and implementation of same-sex marriage have brought substantial legal benefits, including inheritance rights, tax reductions, and enhanced health insurance options, which are decisive for the security and well-being of families. This progr
Marriage Equality Around the World
The Human Rights Campaign tracks developments in the legal recognition of same-sex marriage around the world. Working through a worldwide network of HRC global alumni and partners, we lift up the voices of community, national and regional advocates and share tools, resources, and lessons learned to strengthen movements for marriage equality.
Current State of Marriage Equality
There are currently 38 countries where same-sex marriage is legal: Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Denmark, Ecuador, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, the United Kingdom, the United States of America and Uruguay.
These countries have legalized marriage equality through both legislation and court decisions.
Countries that Legalized Marriage Equality in 2025
Liechtenstein: On May 16, 2024, Liechtenstein's government passed a bill in favor of marriage equality. The law went into effect January 1, 2025.
Countries Where Gay Marriage Is Legal 2025
For many years, same-sex marriage has been a scorching topic of endless debate. Supporters of same-sex marriage say that a association and subsequent marriage between two people of the same sex is spontaneous and normal. These supporters believe that a person does not choose to be gay and is instead born this way. Supporters also say that same-sex couples are just as capable as heterosexual couples when it comes to getting married, living together, and raising children.
On the flip side, there are people that are against gay marriage. These people may have religious beliefs that tell them this is wrong. Others say that same-sex relationships and marriage is abnormal and can have negative effects on children that are raised in a same-sex household.
However, there are still nations around the world that outright bar gay marriage. Even if a wedding ceremony is performed, these couples are not recognized by the government as legally married. Not every country in the world is deeply interested in the conversation surrounding gay marriage, but a large percentage of the world’s nations have either legalized same-sex marriage, permitted gay marriage in cert
Marriage Equality in Germany: 30 years of fight for Same Sex Marriage
Right-to-marry: five nail-biting days in June and 30 years of fight
Since when is marriage equality allowed in Germany? What where the most important milestones for similar sex marriages?
Marriage Equality in Germany: 5 nail-biting days in June 2017 in the fight for Identical Sex Marriage
Did the Chancellor publish her change of stance one day too early? Or was she bowing to the inevitable, and clearing the queer marriage issue out of the way before election campaigning kicked off in earnest? We’ll probably never know for certain. After over a quarter of a century of effort and debate, Merkel’s statement changed the legalization of same-sex marriage from a matter of time to one of five days.
June 2017
All of Merkel’s potential coalition partners following the September elections to the Bundestag – the Greens, FDP, and SPD – pledged they would not join a coalition government that did not commit to legalizing same-sex marriage.
Germany’s Gay and Lesbian Federation (LSVD) had already called for such a pledge in its pre-election questions canvassing
Legal Guide for Matching Sex Marriage in Germany: How to register as a foreigner and what documents to bring?
How can we bond in Germany? (last updated: 2022)
In Germany, two foreigners can also marry regardless of their gender. You do not need a German citizenship, a residence or permanent residence in Germany and can therefore go in into the marriage during a holiday in Germany.
Since 1 October 2017, homosexual couples have been able to unite in Germany. This was decided by the Bundestag on 30 June 2017. (See: Marriage Equality in Germany - A Time Line)
1. Competence and registration for Same Sex Marriage in Germany
The registry offices are responsible for the marriage ceremony. Partners, who desire to get married, have to apply for registration at the registrar’s office, in whose jurisdiction one of the partners holds his domicile or usual place of residence.
If neither partner has their domicile or usual place of residence in Germany, they may register at any registrar’s office in the Federal Republic of Germany (§ 12 par. 1 PStG). That means in Germany, two foreigners can also marry. There is no need for a residence or permanent residence in