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From an excerpt in the Irish Times written by Jim Duffy:
The first country in modern times to legalise same-sex partnerships was Denmark in 1989. Civil unions or registered partnerships now exist in Norway (1993), Israel (1994), Sweden (1995), Greenland, Hungary and Iceland (all 1996), France (1999), Germany and Portugal (2001), Finland (2002), Croatia (2003), Luxembourg (2004), New Zealand, United Kingdom and Andorra (2005), the Czech Republic and Slovenia (2006).
At least 10 Italian regions, as well as 10 US states, and regions of Brazil, Argentina, Australia, and as of this year Mexico City allow some form of recognition. Gender-neutral marriage exists in the Netherlands (since 2001), Belgium (2003), Massachusetts (2004), Spain and Canada (both 2005), with South Africa introducing it in December 2006. Taiwan has announced plans to recognise same-sex relationships, while Chinese legislators have raised the issue.
In a Swiss referendum in 2005, 58 per cent voted for civil unions, subject to restrictions on adoption, while a 2003 EOS Gallup poll found that 57 per cent of people in the then EU backed full gender-neutral marriage.
4 Comments:
57% in the 15 member EU supported gender netural marraige.....that brought a smile to my face. This can only increase when people realsie that 'THE EARTH WILL NOT SPIN OF ITS AXIS/CIVILIZATION WONT COLLAPSE!' debate that seems to be going around in some circles if gays and lesbians get married. Problems still exist though, notably in Poland.
posted by Anonymous, at
12/13/2006 4:03 PM
Doubly amazing when you consider that Switzerland didn't even let women vote until the 1970's. Of course, Saouth Africa beats everyone for the speed of its progress from colonialism to civil rights. -Tara
posted by Anonymous, at
12/13/2006 4:25 PM
I created a chart with the progress of gay marriage across the globe. Check it out at:
http://mudcub.livejournal.com/1280.html
posted by Anonymous, at
12/13/2006 6:22 PM
Patrick, I looked at your list of gay marriage across the globe. With respect to the UK's civil partnerships, same-sex couples may also file joint tax returns,adopt children and take the other partner's name. These partnerships are portable throughtout the UK, so in sum, they provide virtually all of the benefits of marriage.
