The Laws from Different Countries
Homosexual Marriage Around the World
Homosexual marriage is blessed in fifteen countries. In the United States of America, even though the federal government has already approved the homosexual marriage, each state still holds the final proof of the homosexual marriage. So far, there are eighteen states plus Washington D.C. admitting the marriage of homosexual. In Mexico, the marriage is approved in the whole country, and the homosexual wedding can be held in Mexico City, Quintana Roo and Chihuahua. As for Israel, they do not approve the marriage of homosexual held in its territory, but they concede the marriage held legally in other countries and areas.
Argentine
On July 15, 2010, Argentine parliament extended the marriage right to the same sex mate. This proposed law was supported by the president but was opposed by Catholicism. The opinion poll said that there were almost 70% of locals supporting that the homosexuals should have the save marriage right as heterosexuals. This law took effect since July 15, 2010.
Belgium
Belgium became the second country that admitted the marriage of homosexuals, since the proposal passed the Belgium parliament on June 1, 2003. In 2006, they even had the same sex mate have the right to adopt children。Canada
The Canada homosexual marriage received a small legal status after the government faced the law《Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms》which was originated from unconstitutional lawsuit. Before amending the law, there was a similar ruling being legalized in eight provinces and one area. In 2005, the law《Civil Case of Marriage》had corrected the country-wide definition of marriage, accepting any two people’s combination.Denmark
On June, 7, 2012, the Denmark parliament had ratified the new law about homosexual marriage and religion marriage. The law allowed same sex mate to celebrate a wedding in Denmark. On June 12, the royal family approved, and it took effect on June 15. Denmark had become the first country to admit the legal same-sex marriage by 1989.
France
The government of France submitted the homosexual marriage proposal to national parliament on Nov. 17, 2012. On Apr. 12, 2013, the Senate took votes to decide this law. The law gave the same sex mate, including foreigners who lived in France at least one year, the legal right to have marriage. The country even admitted the marriage done before this law. After the voting of France’s parliament, a lot of people opposed it, resulting in some large-scale demonstrations. In Paris and lyon, there even had been attack incidences. On Mar. 17, 2013, the committee of constitution declared the draft resolution. On Mar. 18, 2013, President Hollande signed the new law.
Iceland
Iceland had the homosexual marriage legalized through the proposed law of single marriage. And that took effect on Jun. 27, 2010. The prime minister of Iceland, Johannesson, with her companion was the first same sex marriage mate.
Netherlands
A special committee, designated by the Netherlands in 1995, conducted a research on the issue of same-sex marriage. Then following the recommendation of the Committee to expand marriage law to same-sex couples, the Netherlands became the world's first country to legalize same-sex marriage. Same-sex marriage bill was passed in the House of Representatives and the Senate in 2000, and it took effect in April 1, 2001.In the municipalities of Bonaire and Saint Youda Matthews in the Caribbean Netherlands, and Shaba of the Netherlands, marriage is open to same-sex couples. The bill of the same-sex marriages in these municipalities took effect on October 10, 2012. Other Caribbean territories of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, including Aruba, Gula Suo Island and Saint Martin Island, do not accept homosexual marriages, but they recognize same-sex marriages legalized in the Mainland of the Netherland.
New Zealand
On May 14, 2012, New Zealand Labor Party member Louisa Wall said that she would put forward Private member's bill of Marriage Supplementary Act in order to allow gays to be formally legally married. The draft was submitted to the Committee on May 30, 2012. After the bill being modified, it was passed on Apr. 17, 2013. On Aug. 19, 2013, it came into effect.
Same-sex marriage law is only applicable in New Zealand as well as New Zealand’s Ross Dependency in Antarctica. Other New Zealand regions, including the Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau, have its own marriage law and do not recognize same-sex marriage.
Israel
Israel's High Court ruled that they respected same-sex marriage in other countries. However, Israel does not recognize same-sex marriage that occurs in its territories. There has not been any progress after a motion seeking to overturn the High Court ruling was submitted to Parliament in December 2006.
Spain
Since the law was in force on July 3, 2005, Spain has become the world's third country to legalize same-sex marriage. The law is supported by the majority of Spaniards.After several rounds of debate, the same-sex marriage bill was accepted in the Parliament on June 30, 2005. Spanish King Juan Carlos I had 30 days for consideration, but the king gave his approval on July 1. On July 2, the law was acknowledged.
South Africa
In South Africa, the same-sex marriage was legalized on November 30, 2006. Ever since, South Africa has become the world's fifth country, also the first in Africa, which recognizes same-sex marriages.
Britain
Since 2005, the same-sex couples have been allowed to a civil partnership, providing a different name but with the same marriage rights. In 2006, the High Court rejected a couple from Canada to be recognized as marriage couples. After a long legislation process in the year 2012 and 2013, the marriage (same-sex couples) Act 2013 was approved on Jul. 17, 2013.
Scotland
The Scottish Government had gone through three-month consultation on same sex marriage for 3 months. It was finished on December 9, 2011, and the result was published on July, 2012. Although the Scottish Government was inclined to legalize same-sex marriage, but it also emphasized that the new law should not force any religious marriage ceremony. On Feb. 5, 2014, the Scottish Parliament voted to legalize gay marriage, and by 105 votes against 18 votes, Scotland became the world's 17th country or region which passed the same act.
United States
On June 26, 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that it is unconstitutional denying the legal federal benefits for people who share the same-sex marriage. However, currently there are only 18 states (Utah , New Mexico, Hawaii, Illinois, New Jersey, Minnesota, Rhode Island, Delaware, California, Maryland, Maine, Washington, New York, New Hampshire, Vermont, Iowa, Connecticut, Massachusetts), and the District of Columbia and several Indian tribes legalizing same-sex marriage and giving the state benefits. Some states offer civil unions or partnership registration, giving the same-sex couples all or part of the marriage rights and obligations. There are 31 states restricting that marriage can only occur between a man and a woman.The U.S. Congress in 1996 passed “the Defense of Marriage Act” (referred as DOMA), which was the first attempt to limit the definition of marriage to the union of only a man and a woman. The Act also empowered the state the right to refuse recognizing the validity of the same-sex marriage done in other states. In 2005, the court acknowledged that it was unconstitutional to ban recognizing same-sex relationships from other states. However, the judgment was overturned in 2006. In the same year, the Washington Supreme Court concluded that encouraging child-bearing can be used as the reasonable basis to limit the marriage done heterosexually.
Uruguay
On December 12, 2012, Uruguay House of Representatives passed a bill to extend marriage rights to same-sex couples. The bill was then passed on Apr. 2, 2013. On April 10, 2013, a two-third majority of the House of Representatives ( 71-22 ) agreed the modified version. The president announced the new law on May 3, 2013. It became effective on August 5 the same year.
