Countries where same-sex marriage is legal; will India enter the list?

Till now, Taiwan is the only Asian country that has legalised gay marriage

same sex marriage, gay
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BS Web Team
Last Updated : Jul 11 2018 | 8:39 PM IST
Once again, the debate over the legitimacy of homosexuality law has revived in the country as the top court has started hearing a bunch of pleas regarding Section 377.  

Six years ago, on December 2012, the Supreme Court of India quashed Delhi High Court's order that decriminalised homosexuality. At that time, the top court had categorically said that the Centre was free to amend it. In the year 2014, the Naz Foundation, challenging the SC order, filed a review petition. 

Now once again, India's top court has begun hearing the petition challenging the 158-year-old colonial-era law led by the chief justice of India Dipak Misra, along with Justice RF Nariman, AM Khanwilkar, DY Chandrchud and Indu Malhotra.   

No objection if Supreme Court deals with validity of Section 377: Centre

On July 10, this 5-judge panel heard legal arguments against Section 377. According to Bloomberg, the hearing comes soon after a Hong Kong court ruling decided to grant visas to spouses of gay expatriate workers in Asia's financial hub, a move that puts pressure on other Asian capitals to make themselves more attractive in the race for global talent.  

Till now, Taiwan is the only Asian country that has legalised gay marriage. 
 
If the top Court decriminalises this age-old law, India will enter into the group of countries where same-sex marriage is not a taboo anymore.  

The love that dare not speak its name

Around the world, Australia is one of the latest examples that has legalised same-sex marriage. On December 2017, the Australian Parliament passed a legislation allowing gay and lesbian couples to legally wed. Malta and Germany are other two nations that have unanimously voted to legalize same-sex marriage in the year 2017. 

The Netherlands was the first country to legalise same-sex marriage. 


Here is a list of countries where same-sex marriage is legal:  

Countries Years
Australia  2017
Malta 2017
Germany 2017
Colombia 2016
The United States 2015
Greenland 2015
Ireland 2015
Finland 2015
Luxembourg 2014
Scotland 2014
England and Wales 2013
Brazil 2013
France 2013
Uruguay 2013
New Zealand 2013
Denmark 2012
Argentina 2010
Portugal  2010
Iceland 2010
Sweden 2009
Norway 2008
South Africa 2006
Spain  2005
Canada 2005
Belgium 2003
Netherlands 2000

The only country, where gay marriage is legal in some jurisdictions, is Mexico. 
 


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