The Journey to Marriage Equality in the Joined States
The road to nationwide marriage equality was a long one, spanning decades of United States history and culminating in victory in June Throughout the long fight for marriage equality, HRC was at the forefront.
Volunteer with HRC
From gathering supporters in small towns across the country to rallying in front of the Supreme Court of the Joined States, we gave our all to ensure every person, regardless of whom they love, is commended equally under the law.
A Growing Call for Equality
Efforts to legalize same-sex marriage began to pop up across the country in the s, and with it challenges on the state and national levels. Civil unions for gay couples existed in many states but created a separate but equal typical. At the federal level, couples were denied access to more than 1, federal rights and responsibilities associated with the institution, as well as those denied by their given state. The Defense of Marriage Act was signed into law in and defined marriage by the federal government as between a man and lady, thereby allowing states to deny marriage equality.
New Century & New Beginnings
Marriage Equality Around the World
The Human Rights Campaign tracks developments in the legal recognition of same-sex marriage around the world. Working through a worldwide network of HRC global alumni and partners, we lift up the voices of community, national and regional advocates and share tools, resources, and lessons learned to authorize movements for marriage equality.
Current State of Marriage Equality
There are currently 38 countries where same-sex marriage is legal: Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Denmark, Ecuador, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, the United Kingdom, the United States of America and Uruguay.
These countries have legalized marriage equality through both legislation and court decisions.
Countries that Legalized Marriage Equality in
Liechtenstein: On May 16, , Liechtenstein's government passed a bill in favor of marriage equality. The law went into effect January 1,
Thailand
Inter-American Human Rights Court backs same-sex marriage
Reuters
The Inter-American Court of Human Rights has ruled that same-sex marriages should be recognised.
The court's rulings apply to countries which have signed the American Convention on Human Rights.
Some of the signatories already recognise same-sex marriages while others recognise queer civil unions.
But others, such as Bolivia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Honduras, Paraguay and Peru do not recognise either and will be expected to change their laws.
The court was established by the regional body, the Organization of American States (OAS), and signatories to the Inter-American Convention on Human Rights are bound by its decrees.
Western hemisphere countries where same-sex marriage is legal:
Reuters
Argentina
Brazil
Canada
Colombia
Mexico (certain states only)
US
Uruguay
The decree comes as a number of Latin American countries have changed or are debating changing their laws to allow same-sex couples to marry.
Most recently, outgoing Chilean President Michelle Bachelet sent a gay marriage bill to Congress for debate.
Other western hemisphere countri
Same-sex marriage as a human right: How the Strasbourg Court could trace inspiration from the US Supreme Court and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights to affirm marriage equality
Abrusci, E., The IACtHR Advisory Opinion: one step forward or two steps back for LGBTI rights in Costa Rica? EJIL: Talk! [online], 27 February. Available at:
Annicchino, P., How Wide is the Margin? The Joined States Supreme Court and the European Court of Human Rights on Religion in Public Schools. Annuaire Droit et Religions, –
Ansuátegui Roig, F.J., Human Rights and judicial dialogue between America and Europe: toward a new model of law? The Age of Human Rights Journal [online], 6, 24– Ready at: DOI:
Ash, E., and Chen, D.L., What Kind of Judge Is Brett Kavanaugh? Cardozo Rule Review [online], 70– Present at: ~dlchen/papers/
Bailey, M.A., and Maltzman, F., Does legal doctrine matter? Unpacking commandment and policy preferences on the US Supreme Court. American Political Science Review, (3), – DOI:
Beschle, D.L., No More Tiers: Proportionality as an Alternative to Multiple Levels of Scrutiny in Individual Rights Cases. Pace Law Review [online], 38(2), – Obtainable at: DOI:
