Same-sex marriages have become a trend. The countries that have constitutionally mandated Islamic law are totally against same-sex couples and marriages and criminalized homosexuality. However, there are various countries where the government issue marriages to same-sex couples and considers them families. According to scientific research, same-sex marriage improves the emotional, mental, and biological well-being of homosexual individuals, and children of same-sex parents are better off growing up with married same-sex couples in a marriage that is sanctioned by the state and backed by societal authorities.
In the following article, we discuss countries where same-sex marriage is legal.
China
Legalizing gay marriage doesn’t seem to be a priority for the Chinese government anytime soon. Same-sex relationships are not illegal in China but homosexuality was declassified as a mental disorder in 2001 and removed from the Chinese Classification of Mental Disorders in 2011. Consequently, there is no prohibition against homosexual activity and no discrimination protections for sexual orientation. So even though same-sex marriage is not legally recognized there is no explicit law against it.
United States
The United States legalized gay marriage nationwide on June 26, 2015, with the United States Supreme Court landmark decision of Obergefell v. Hodges which ruled that state laws prohibiting marriage between two people of the same sex were unconstitutional. The decision was totally in favor of same-sex couples and homosexual individuals. Till now, almost all states of the US support gay individuals and travelers.
Australia
Australia became the 26th country to legalize same-sex marriage on December 7, 2017. Here the gay and lesbian community gets a lot of respect and lists a normal life without any stigma. Due to the least Islamic prevalence and favorable circumstances, gay and lesbian couples arrange their marriages very confidently and enjoy a lot of pride and respect.
New Zealand
New Zealand became the 14th country to legalize same-sex marriage on April 27, 2017. After that, hundreds of people have become same-sex couples and have opened their relationships. The legalization of same-sex marriages in New Zealand means that these couples are considered families and they have the right to participate in all the activities just as other people. No one sees them with hateful expressions and every same-sex couple enjoys life.
Canada
Canada legalized same-sex marriage a year before South Africa did in 2005. They became the second country in the world to do so at that time. Any same-sex couple who is looking for the best place to live as a gay couple or lesbian couple should move to Canada which is an extremely gay-friendly destination for permanent residents as well as for travelers.
Belgium
Belgium legalized same-sex marriage in 2003 and became part of the first countries in Europe to do so in 2001 when they were first recognized by Belgian law. You should move to Belgium to enjoy same-sex marriage.
Some other countries that have legalized same-sex marriages include:
- Argentina
- Brazil
- Denmark
- France
- Ireland
- Luxembourg
Keep in mind that anytime a nation legalizes same-sex unions, it accords same-sex couples with the same rights as opposite-sex couples and tends to eliminate the stigmatization of homosexuality.
