List Of Countries Where Gay Marriage Is Legal

With England and Wales joining the places on Earth where gay marriage is legal, let us look at the list of countries where same-sex marriage is legal.

The Netherlands, 2000: Gay marriage enjoys an approval rating of 82 percent — the highest in the European Union.

Belgium, 2003: Legislation enacted in October 2004 however, permits any couple to marry in Belgium if at least one of the spouses has lived in the country for a minimum of three months.

Canada, 2005: First country outside Europe to legalize gay marriage.

Spain, 2005: Approximately 4,500 same-sex couples married in Spain during the first year of the law.

South Africa, 2006: The first in Africa, the first in the southern hemisphere, and the second outside Europe to legalize same-sex marriage.

Norway, 2009: Became the first Scandinavian country and the sixth country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage.

Sweden, 2009: Same-sex marriages have been performed by the church since 1 November 2009.

Iceland, 2010: No members of parliament voted against the bill, and public opinion polls suggest that the bill is very popular in Iceland.

Portugal, 2010: Became the sixth country in Europe and the eighth country in the world to allow same-sex marriage nationwide.

Argentina, 2010: The first country in Latin America and the second in the Americas to allow same-sex marriage nationwide. It was the tenth country worldwide to allow same-sex marriage.

Denmark, 2012: The legislation covers metropolitan Denmark only and is not extended to Greenland and the Faroe Islands.

France, 2013: The first official same-sex ceremony took place on 29 May 2013 in the city of Montpellier.

Brazil, 2013: Same-sex marriage in the entire country was legalized in a 14-1 vote.