World Stance of Same-sex Couples

Here’s what the issue of same-sex marriage looks like around the world.

Same-sex marriage is currently legal throughout Argentina (2010), Belgium (2003), Canada (2205), Iceland (2010), the Netherlands(2000), Norway (2009), Portugal (2010), South Africa (2006), Spain (2205), and Sweden (2009). The Brazilian state of Alagoas has same-sex marriages as does Mexico City whose marriage certificates are recognized in all 31 Mexican states. Denmark passed a same-sex union in June 1989 and a same-sex marriage law is being considered in 2012. Following the implantation in Denmark, a series of countries, mostly European, later passed bills that created a various form of same-sex union. Legislation to allow same sex marriage is being considered within the year in Australia, Columbia, Finland, France, Israel (does recognize same-sex marriages), Luxembourg, Nepal, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and  Uruguay. Partnerships or civil unions are pending in Bolivia, Chile, Columbia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Estonia, Germany, Italy, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Switzerland. Numerous other countries and regions do grant some form of recognition to same-sex couples; though do not provide same-sex marriage. Many governments tend to opt for creating a civil union or unregistered cohabitation for same-sex couples; often these laws offer most if not all the rights that marriage offers. Debates over other forms of recognition continue within several other countries.

Several regions and countries have passed statutory and constitutional amendments that explicitly prohibit the legal recognition of same-sex marriage, sometimes also barring any form of recognition. Currently, Muslim countries in the Middle East along with 4 African countries sentence same-sex couples to death, 5 world countries sentence them to life in prison, 25 countries (mostly African) have large penalties, 3 countries have minimal penalties and all other nations do not recognize or penalize same-sex couples. (On July 2, 2009 the Delhi High Court decriminalized homosexual intercourse between consenting adults throughout India saying Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code violated the fundamental right to life and liberty and the right to equality as guaranteed by their Constitution.)

The May 13, 2012 MailOnline article said - The daughter of Cuban President Raul Castro revealed her father has been working to end sexual discrimination, possibly opening the path to same-sex marriage. Mariela Castro, 50, known for her work as a gay rights advocate and head of Cuba’s National Center for Sex Education, also repeated her praise for President Barack Obama, who had publicly expressed support for same-sex marriage this week. Castro said the American leader’s words ‘have great value because of the influence they might have’ on others, but added that words must be followed by actions. In January, Cuba's Communist Party Congress passed a resolution ‘to fight against all forms of discrimination, including against sexual discrimination, and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and sexual identity.’

The general consensus is that there are 196 independent countries in the world. Many countries like Brazil, Mexico and the United States are addressing same-sex couples at the local level. Although the United States is supposed to be a leader in human rights, by the looks of this information and the fact that the Colorado Governor’s last ditch efforts failed on May 15, many countries will have same-sex equal rights before the US.