List of countries where same-sex marriage is legal

Same-sex marriage, also known as gay marriage, is marriage between people of the same sex, either as a secular civil ceremonyor in a religious setting.

In the late 20th century, religious rites of marriage without legal recognition became increasingly common. The first law providing for marriage of people of the same sex in modern times was enacted in 2001 in theNetherlands. As of 22 July 2016, same-sex marriage is legally allowed (nationwide or in some parts) in the following countries:Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Colombia,Denmark,^{[nb 1]} France, Iceland, Ireland,Luxembourg, Mexico,^{[nb 2]} theNetherlands,^{[nb 3]} New Zealand,^{[nb 4]} Norway,Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, theUnited Kingdom^{[nb 5]} the United States,^{[nb 6]}and Uruguay. A similar law in Finland is not yet in force. Polls show rising support for legally recognizing same-sex marriage in the Americas, Australia and most of Europe.^[1][2][3]However, as of 2016 South Africa is the only African country where same-sex marriage is recognized, and no country in Asia allows same-sex marriage ceremonies, althoughIsrael accepts same-sex marriages performed overseas.^[4]

1 The Netherlands: April 1, 2001
2. Belgium: June 1, 2003

3. Spain: July 3, 2005
4. Canada: July 20, 2005

5. South Africa: November 30, 2006

6. Norway: January 1, 2009
7. Sweden: May 1, 2009

8. Portugal: June 5, 2010
9. Iceland: June 27, 2010
10. Argentina: July 22, 2010

11. Denmark: June 15,2012

12. Brazil: May 14, 2013
13. France: May 29, 2013
14. Uruguay: August 5, 2013
15. New Zealand: August 19, 2013
16. United Kingdom (England, Wales, Scotland) 2013
17. French Guiana: 2013

18. Luxembourg: June 18, 2014
19. Finland: November 28, 2014 (Note: Gay marriage will become legal in Finland from 2017 through a bill passed this year.)
12. Ireland: May 23, 2015
21. The United States (2015)
22. Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark (2015)