36 countries legalize gay marriage, but the ban remains worldwide, gay marriage legalizes list of countries, countries ban gay marriage

As Thai MPs vote to legalize same-sex marriage on Tuesday, we look at the changing status of same-sex marriage around the world. Although the right to marry has been legalized in 35 other countries, homosexuality remains illegal in many parts of the world.

The journey began on October 1, 1989, when Denmark allowed several gay couples to enter into civil unions, providing legal recognition without the full status of marriage. The Netherlands set a historical precedent by becoming the first country to legalize same-sex marriage in April 2001. Since then, another 20 European countries have followed suit, including Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Great Britain, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France and Germany. , Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

Some European states have allowed same-sex civil unions but not legalized same-sex marriage. These include Italy, Hungary, Croatia, Cyprus, Latvia, the Czech Republic and the principalities of Liechtenstein and Monaco. The European Court of Human Rights found Bulgaria, Poland, Romania, Russia and Ukraine guilty of failing to recognize same-sex couples in 2023.

Across the Atlantic, Canada became the first American country to legalize same-sex marriage in 2005. The U.S. Supreme Court followed suit in 2015, legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide, although the first legal same-sex marriage in the U.S. took place in Minnesota in 1971 due to a legal battle. subterfuge. This marriage was finally recognized in March 2019 after a lengthy legal battle.

In Latin America, nine countries – Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, Mexico and Uruguay – allow same-sex marriages, while Bolivia recognizes civil unions but not marriages.

Progress in Asia has been slower, with Taiwan becoming the first territory to legalize same-sex marriage in May 2019. Nepal’s Supreme Court issued an interim order in 2022 allowing same-sex and trans couples to register their marriages, which has led to several marriages since then. Japan remains the only G7 member without nationwide legalization or civil unions, although some local governments recognize same-sex couples.

In the broader Asia-Pacific region, Australia (2017) and New Zealand (2013) have passed same-sex marriage laws. Vietnam decriminalized the celebration of same-sex marriage in 2015, but did not achieve full legal recognition.

In the Middle East, LGBTQ rights face significant challenges, with Israel being the most progressive in recognizing same-sex marriages performed elsewhere but not allowing such unions at home. Several countries, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, still impose the death penalty for homosexuality.

South Africa stands alone on the African continent when it comes to allowing same-sex marriage, which was legalized in 2006. Conversely, about thirty African countries ban homosexuality, with Mauritania, Somalia and Sudan imposing the death penalty for same-sex relationships.

While Thai lawmakers join the growing list of countries embracing same-sex marriage, the global landscape remains a patchwork of progress and prohibition.

With AFP inputs