Pride Month is not just about parades, festivals and photo-ops with rainbow flags that make you look cool. Pride Month is also about reflecting on how far the world has come in recognising queer people and legitimising their existence by giving them due legal rights. It is also about reflecting on how long we have yet to go and how to best educate people against hatred and prejudice. So as the month is soon to end, here are the countries that have legalised same-sex marriage nationwide.
Same-Sex Marriage Is Legal In These Countries Nationwide
1. The Netherlands, 2001
The Netherlands was the very first country in the entire world to legalise same-sex marriage.
2. Belgium, 2003
Following suit with its neighbour, the Netherlands, Belgium, too, legalised same-sex marriage in 2003.
3. Spain, 2005
Though the vote was very divided in the parliament at the time, Spain legalised same-sex marriage in 2005.
4. Canada, 2005
Same-sex marriage was legal in many Canadian provinces before but in 2005, it was legalised nationwide.
5. South Africa, 2006
It is so far the only African country that has legalised same-sex marriage.
6. Norway, 2009
While same-sex civil unions have been permitted since 1993, in 2009, marriages were legalised as well.
7. Sweden, 2009
Like Norway, civil unions for queer couples were allowed since 1995 but in 2009, marriage became legal.
8. Portugal, 2010
Portugal’s Constitutional Court approved the legalisation of same-sex marriage in 2010.
9. Iceland, 2010
Once same-sex marriage was legalised, the Prime Minister of Iceland, Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir married her longtime partner, Jónína Leósdóttir. She became one of the first openly queer political figures.
10. Argentina, 2010
This was the first Latin American country to allow same-sex marriage.
11. Denmark, 2012
The Danish government legalised same-sex marriage in 2012.
12. Brazil, 2013
Of the 27 jurisdictions of Brazil, almost half had already legalised marriage for queer people. This ruling in 2013 just made it legal nationwide.
13. France, 2013
Marriage equality in France has been prevalent since 2013.
14. Uruguay, 2013
After Argentina, Uruguay is the 2nd Latin American country to legalise marriage for queer people.
15. New Zealand, 2013
New Zealand legalised same-sex marriage in 2013.
16. The United Kingdom, 2014, 2020
England, Wales and Scotland legalised same-sex marriage in 2014 while Northern Ireland legalised it in 2020.
17. Luxembourg, 2015
The Prime Minister of the country, Xavier Bettel, is openly gay and championed rights for queer people in the country.
18. The United States Of America, 2015
When the US legalised marriage for queer people, it made headlines throughout the world.
19. Ireland, 2015
The independent Ireland legalised marriage for queer people in 2005.
20. Greenland, 2016
An autonomous territory of Denmark, Greenland legalised same-sex marriage in 2016.
21. Colombia, 2016
The Constitutional Court of Columbia gave marriage rights to queer people via votes.
22. Finland, 2017
With more than 166,000 signatures, the law legalising marriage for queer couples was passed.
23. Malta, 2017
Marriage for queer couples was legalised in Malta after unanimous voting.
24. Germany, 2017
Germany legalised queer marriage after the parliament voted for it.
25. Australia, 2017
In a nationwide referendum, Australia allowed gay people to marry.
26. Austria, 2019
The Austrian court passed a ruling which let queer people marry.
27. Taiwan, 2019
This country made history by becoming the first in Asia to legalise marriage for queer people.
28. Ecuador, 2019
The Ecuadorian court ruled in favour of marriage for queer people.
29. Costa Rica, 2020
In Central America, this was the first country that legalised marriage for queer people.
30. Chile, 2022
The Chilean government was the sixth Latin American country to legalise marriages for queer people.
31. Switzerland, 2022
Switzerland voted to legalise marriage for queer people in 2022.
32. Slovenia, 2022
This is the first Eastern European country to legalise marriage for queer people.
33. Cuba, 2022
When a referendum on family law was undertaken in Cuba, same-sex marriage was legalised as part of it.
34. Mexico, 2022
Prior to legalising queer marriages, it declared bans on it unconstitutional in 2015.
35. Andorra, 2023
This small island legalised same-sex marriage last year.
36. Estonia, 2024
Estonia is the latest country in Northern Europe to legalise marriage for all regardless of gender.
37. Greece, 2024
Marriage equality in Greece prevailed and marriage regardless of gender was made possible for all.
38. Nepal, 2024
Our neighbour was the 2nd Asian country to legalise marriage for queer people.
Countries Soon To Legalise It
- Thailand, 2024
Thailand recently passed a bill legalising same-sex marriage with an overwhelming Senate majority. After the pro forma endorsement of the King, it will be implemented within 120 days of its publication in The Gazette.
- Liechtenstein, 2025
A bill was passed in May 2024 and its implementation will take place from January 1, 2025.
Also Read: Nepal Officially Registered Its 1st Same-Sex Marriage; Becomes 1st South Asian Country To Do So
Don’t you think it’s time India joined this list of countries too? How do you think we can help push the movement further? Let us know in the comments section below!
Cover Image Credits: Canva Images
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