Pray continually. - 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Legal Status of Same-Sex Marriage in the World

The following is a worldwide look at the legal status of same-sex marriage around the globe in all or part of the country listed:

The Netherlands - Became legal in 2001. Allows same-sex couples to adopt children, within their country or from abroad.

Belgium - Became legal in 2003. Same-sex couples are not allowed to adopt children.

South Africa - Became 5th nation to allow gay marriage in 2005.

Spain - Became legal in June 2005. Same-sex couples are given the same rights as couples in a traditional marriage, including the adoption of children and full inheritance rights.

Canada - The Canadian House of Commons voted to revamp the traditional definition of marriage. The legislation became law in June 2005.

United States:

California
The California Supreme Court ruled on May 15, 2008, that same sex couples had the right to marry in California. Proposition 8, which limits marriage to one man and one woman, was passed on November 4, 2008. The decision was later appealed. Same-sex marriages performed before Proposition 8 was passed remain valid, but same sex marriages are no longer performed in California.

Connecticut
In October 2008, the Connecticut Supreme Court in a 4-3 decision overturned the state’s ban on same-sex marriage.

District of Columbia
The DC Council passed a law allowing same-sex marriage in December 2009. The U.S. Supreme Court refused to intervene in the Washington, DC marriage battle, thus allowing same-sex couples to  marry in the District of Columbia beginning March 3, 2010.

Iowa
On April 3, 2009, Iowa’s Supreme Court justices upheld a lower-court ruling that rejected a state law restricting marriage to a union between a man and woman.

Maine
In a November 2009 referendum, Maine voters repealed the state’s same-sex marriage law, six months after the law was passed by the legislature.

Massachusetts
On May 17, 2004, Massachusetts became the first U.S. state to legalize same-sex marriage.

New Hampshire
Legislation for same-sex marriage in New Hampshire was signed into law by the governor on June 3, 2009.

Vermont
On April 7, 2009, Vermont became the fourth state to legalize same-sex marriage, after lawmakers override a veto by Gov. James Douglas.

Updated: March 3, 2010

Gay Marriage Commentary by Rev. Robert Fleischmann, National Director, CLR
http://www.christianliferesources.com/index.php?library/view.php&articleid=965
State-By-State Status of Traditional Marriage
http://www.formarriage.org./stateupdate.html

Article Shortcut: http://www.christianliferesources.com?5543

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