Latest countries to legalize same-sex marriage.
On Tuesday, the Supreme Court of India delivered a judgment on appeals seeking legal recognition of same-sex marriages. The court emphasized that a person's ability to enter into a union cannot be refused based on sexual orientation, even though it did not legalize marital equality. As we await a final decision from legislators, here are five countries that have recently recognized same-sex marriage.
First to legalize
The Netherlands was the trailblazer in this movement, becoming the world's first country to recognize same-sex marriages in 2001. This was followed by a wave of progressive countries, including Belgium, Canada, and Spain, that made marriage equality a reality within the next few years, sparking a global conversation on LGBTQ+ rights and equality. Let's look at the countries where same-sex marriages were legalized recently.
Estonia (2023)
With a 55-vote majority in its 101-seat parliament, Estonia became the first Baltic country and the first former Soviet State to legalize same-sex unions this year. Estonia already approved same-sex relationships, but a 2016 revision to the Family Law Act broadened this recognition. Same-sex couples will have the option to marry and adopt children once the new legislation takes effect on January 1, 2024.
Andorra (2023)
Among the latest countries to join the bandwagon is Andorra. The decision came in February 2023 when the parliament voted to legalize same-sex marriage. This resulted from the state's Family Code being updated, changes that took effect on July 21, 2022, after being approved by the General Council. Same-sex couples until 2023 could only enter civil unions, which were established in 2014.
Cuba (2022)
Cubans voted in favor of a Family Code on September 25, 2022, in a national referendum that also included clauses enabling same-sex marriage. Apart from same-sex marriages, the referendum allowed same-sex couples to adopt children and promoted equal sharing of domestic responsibilities and rights among men and women in the household. The referendum legalized surrogate pregnancies and strengthened measures against gender violence.
Switzerland (2022)
In 2021, Switzerland held a national vote on the issues of legalizing same-sex unions and granting couples the ability to adopt. At 64.1%, the referendum received nearly a two-thirds majority to succeed. This allows married lesbian couples to access sperm donation, previously limited to married heterosexual couples. The law facilitates foreign spouses of Swiss citizens in obtaining citizenship.
Chile (2021)
The marriage equality bill in Chile was passed by the Senate on December 7 and the lower house on November 23. On December 9, 2021, the president of Chile signed the bill into law. Chile had previously recognized same-sex couples in the form of civil unions only. Same-sex civil unions have been permitted in Chile since 2015.
