Liechtenstein
Thailand
Costa Rica
Greenland
Scotland
England and Wales
Argentina
Portugal
South Africa

Liechtenstein

A law legalizing same-sex marriage officially took effect in Liechtenstein on January 1. Passed by Liechtenstein’s parliament, the Landtag, in May 2024 with a near-unanimous vote of 24–1, the law marks a significant step forward. Prior to this, same-sex couples in the country could only enter into registered partnerships, a system in place since 2011. Under the new law, same-sex couples can now legally marry, and those with registered partnerships can easily convert them into marriages through an administrative process.

Thailand

On Tuesday, June 18, 2024, Thailand's senate approved a marriage equality bill to legalize same-sex marriage. It was passed overwhelmingly with 130 votes in favor and only four votes against. The final step required is the King's endorsement of the bill, but this is considered a formality. The law will come into effect 120 days later. “The bill represents a monumental step forward for LGBTQ+ rights in Thailand," said Panyaphon Phiphatkhunarnon, founder of the LGBTQ+ rights NGO Love Foundation. Thailand is now the third country in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage, after Nepal earlier in 2024 and Taiwan in 2019.

Nepal

Same-sex marriage became legal nationwide in Nepal on April 27, 2024, after years of legal battles by queer couples.

Greece

On February 15, 2024, Greece became the first Orthodox Christian country to legalize same-sex marriage. The landmark ruling came after the Greek parliament voted 176 for and 76 against the proposed bill. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis tweeted that they are "proud to become the 16th (European Union) country to legislate marriage equality,” and declared it "a milestone for human rights, reflecting today’s Greece — a progressive, and democratic country, passionately committed to European values.”

Estonia

The first Baltic and central European country joined the list when Estonia's parliament voted to legalize same-sex marriage, by 55 votes to 34. Speaking to Reuters after the vote on June 20, 2023, Prime Minister Kaja Kallas said her message to central Europe was that “it’s a difficult fight, but marriage and love is something that you have to promote." The law came into effect on January 1, 2024.

Cuba

In September of 2022, Cuba finally recognized same-sex marriage rights after a historic national referendum in which Cubans voted in favor of a family code which also increased protections to women, children, and the elderly, while also allowing LGBTQ couples to adopt. The country’s National Electoral Council announced on September 26 that 74.1% of those eligible to vote had turned out to cast their ballot, and the results signaled an overwhelming support for the new law which is a win for so many minorities.

Chile

The legalization of same-sex marriage was proposed in Chile back in 2017, and on December 7, 2021, the bill finally passed. It was voted in by the country's congress with an overwhelming majority. Same-sex civil unions had been recognized in Chile since 2015, but this new bill grants same-sex couples the same rights as heterosexual couples, including the ability to adopt children.

Costa Rica

On May 26, 2020, Costa Rica became the first country in Central America to recognize and perform same-sex marriages. This was the result of a Supreme Court ruling.

Ecuador

Following a high court ruling, same-sex marriage is legal across Ecuador as of June 12, 2019.

Austria

Following a high court ruling that was not opposed by parliament, same-sex marriage became legal in Austria on January 1, 2019.

Germany

In June 2017, parliament voted 393-226 in favor of legalizing same-sex marriage. By the following October, same-sex marriage was legal in the country.

Finland

While a bill legalizing same-sex marriage in the country was passed in late 2014, it only went into effect on March 1, 2017.

Greenland

As an autonomous territory of Denmark, Greenland was not subject to the former's 2012 decision to legalize same-sex marriage. Instead, legislators in Greenland passed a bill to this effect in May 2015, and same-sex marriage was legal in the country by April 2016.

Ireland

Ireland was the first country to legalize same-sex marriage through popular referendum, this in May 2015.

Scotland

Same-sex couples have been allowed to wed in Scotland since December 2014, following a February 2014 parliamentary vote.

England and Wales

Same-sex marriage came into force in England and Wales in March 2014. The July 2013 parliamentary win that led to this did not apply to semi-autonomous Scotland, nor Northern Ireland (though both countries have since legalized equal marriage).

France

In May 2013, France’s highest court ruled that a bill passed by the National Assembly and the Senate, but challenged by the UMP (the conservative opposition party), was, in fact, constitutional. The bill also gave same-sex couples the right to adopt children.

Uruguay

Same-sex couples have been able to wed in Uruguay since August 2013, after the country's Senate and Congress passed a bill to this effect several months earlier.

Denmark

Same-sex marriage has been legal in Denmark since June 2012, this after parliamentary approval and royal assent.

Argentina

In July 2010, Argentina became the first Latin American country to legalize same-sex marriage, after a bill was passed in both houses of the Argentine legislature. The passage of the law also granted married same-sex couples the right to adopt children.

Portugal

Same-sex marriage came into force in Portugal in June 2010. This was after the measure passed in parliament and was reviewed by the Constitutional Court on then-President Anibal Cavaco Silva's request.

Iceland

Same-sex marriage has been legal and in effect in Iceland since June 2010. Significantly, no legislator voted against the bill.

Sweden

By parliamentary approval a month earlier, same-sex marriage has been legal in Sweden since May 2009.

Norway

Norway was the first Scandinavian country to legalize same-sex marriage. Passed in parliament in June 2008, same-sex marriage officially became legal in the country on January 1, 2009.

South Africa

South Africa was the first and still only African country to legalize same-sex marriage. Same-sex couples have been able to wed in the country since November 2006, thanks to a process that involved the high courts and parliament.