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Same-sex marriage is a controversial and taboo topic in many countries but is also legal in several other countries. Currently, at the time of writing, the apex court of India i.e., the Supreme Court of India is hearing a petition to legalise same-sex marriage and India can expect a decision soon in the coming days over this. But that’s not the point. The point is sooner or later every country had to put forward this thought. Why? Because the world is changing…Before we discuss more on this here are the top 10 well-known popular countries where same-sex (Queer) marriage is legal.
1. United States (In 2015)
Massachusetts was the first state in the United States to legalize same-sex marriage on May 17, 2004. Thereafter it took 11 years for the United States to legalize in the entire 50 states of the United States. On June 26, 2015, the US Supreme Court brought down all the ban on queer marriage and made it legal.
2. France (In 2013)
In May 2013, France became the 14th country to adopt the law of same-sex marriage as legal in the country. This was done as a part of an election campaign promised by former president Francois Hollande.
3. Denmark (In 2012)
Although Denmark was the first country in the world to allow the registration of same-sex unions in the year 1989. They also allowed the adaptation of children by gay and lesbian couples in the year 2010. But the legalisation of same-sex marriage after passing a bill by the legislature was only held in the year 2012.
4. England and Wales (In 2013)
After months of debate inside the British Parliament, England and Wales finally received the legalization of same-sex marriage on July 17, 2013. This could only be possible after Queen Elizabeth II gave royal assent.
United Kingdom consists of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland but the bill only applies to England and Wales because Scotland and Northern Ireland had their separate legislative bodies that take care of internal issues including marriage.
5. Australia (In 2017)
The Kangaroo Island nation passed the bill of queer marriage legalisation in the year of 2017. A referendum voting was held countrywide to be in favour or against the law. Finally, a huge margin of voting was received in the favour of law and in a couple of weeks by passing the bill.
6. New Zealand (In 2013)
New Zealand became the 13th country in the world and the first country in the Asian Pacific region to legalise same-sex marriage and also gave them the right to adopt children. But way before that in 2005 itself, New Zealand allowed same-sex couples to register as partners.
7. Canada (In 2005)
Same-sex couples already had almost all the legal benefits of marriage starting from 1999. But the marriage of same-sex couples was still not legal in the country until 2003. Queer marriage was made legal in most parts of the country in 2003. Later in 2005 after legislation was passed in the parliament, it was legalised in the entire country.
8. Germany (In 2017)
In 2017, Germany allowed same-sex couples to get married after a huge number of voters were in favour of legalising the same-sex marriage bill in parliament.
Germany was the 15th European country to amend the same-sex marriage bill.
9. Spain (In 2005)
Spain legalized same-sex (queer) marriage in the year 2005. In fact, the bill ensured that any marriage between two partners irrespective of their sexual orientation will have equal and identical rights in Spain.
10. Finland (In 2015)
Finland, the happiest country in the world legalized same-sex marriage in the year 2015. Although the implementation of legalizing the law in the country got started in 2017.
Finland was one of the five Nordic countries and was the last country to implement the same-sex marriage law.
Why Same-Sex Marriage should be legal?
In this list verse, we have only covered 10 popular countries where same-sex marriage is legal. But the fact is there are many more countries where queer marriage is already legal.
Whether you believe it or not, In Today’s open world, Marriage is nothing but a just a legal status provided by society to a partners in relationship so that they can procure the legal benefits of being partners else why would anyone marry right?
So here are a few points that we need to think of being human and which is why the legality of same-sex marriages is a step towards the betterment of society.
Homosexuality Do Exists?
It is important for the world to understand that there is a thing called Homosexuality that does exist. There is a very great saying that If I close my eyes that does not mean the world cannot see me, or the world does not even exists.
And this is usually the case with countries which have no validation for homosexuality. So Instead of making it a taboo, it needs to be addressed by the society. Because everyone is a part of society and it is everyone’s society.
Rights to Equality for Same Sex couple
Without an amendment to same-sex marriage law in the country, It is next to impossible for a homosexual couple to get legal benefits such as Health Insurance, Adopt a child etc. Thus same-sex marriage laws are basically a gateway for the homosexual community to be a part of society rather than being a distinct community.
Law & Constitution are for the betterment of society
The country is governed by Constitution and Law. Constitution and law play a very fundamental role and were made for the benefit of the people of the country. But as we know the world keeps changing so with time our laws also need an update to maintain relevancy with changing world. And we believe same-sex marriage is one such update which is a requirement of the present time and must be included within the law.
Many people can also argue that it hurts the cultural and traditional sentiments of the country. But think about it, even with no same-sex law implemented, couples are still in a relationship and will be in a relationship because that’s their sexual orientation. And it is not what they choose to prefer, it is what their body and mind are opting for. So the natural sentiments will still be getting hurt it’s just that people won’t accept it.
But if there is one such law in the country then at least the couples will be happy and will find inclusion in society.
As of today, There are 34 countries that have already legalised queer marriage so basically it had already time tested.
Conclusion
Law on same-sex marriage is a need of today’s world that needs to be addressed either sooner or later. This is a part of human evolution and it cannot be ignored.
Hope you liked the article : Popular Countries where same-sex marriage is legal. Do not forget to checkout more such content on Life@ConceptDive.
Also take a look at Human Right Campaign – Marriage Equality.
