South africa gay marriage
Gay Marriage Around the World
A growing number of governments around the world are considering whether to grant legal recognition to same-sex marriages. So far, more than two dozen countries have enacted national laws allowing gays and lesbians to marry, mostly in Europe and the Americas. In Mexico, some jurisdictions allow same-sex couples to wed, while others do not.
Countries That Allow Male lover Marriage
Countries Where Queer Marriage is Legal in Some Jurisdictions
Countries That Authorize Gay Marriage
Australia (2017)
On Dec. 7, 2017, the Australian Parliament passed legislation allowing gay and sapphic couples to legally wed. Passage came just three weeks after Australians voted in favor of legalizing same-sex marriage, by a 62% to 38% margin, in a non-binding, nationwide referendum. Along with New Zealand, Australia became the second country in the Asia-Pacific region to to construct same-sex marriage legal.
Malta (2017)
Malta’s parliament almost unanimously voted to legalize same-sex marriage in July 2017, despite opposition from the Catholic Church on the miniature Mediterranean island.
Germany (2017)
On June 30, 2017, Germany became the 15th European nation to enac
Same-sex marriage – South Africa was the fifth country in the world to legalise them.
In 2006 the Civil Union Act (Act No. 17 of 2006) came into effect and made same-sex marriage legal in South Africa. This means that, in terms of the Operate, two people of any sex can be married or enter into a civil partnership.
Like any other marriage, a same-sex marriage or civil union must be solemnised by an authorised marriage officer in South Africa. Furthermore, the marriage must be registered through the Department of Residence Affairs.
Couples entering into same-sex marriage appreciate the benefits of married life and agree to uphold their individual responsibilities towards each other within this legal framework. Additionally, they enjoy the rights that are accorded to all married couples, such as inheritance and end-of-life decision-making. Equally, on divorce, same-sex couples go through the same painful process as heterosexual couples.
DISCRIMINATION
Section 9 of the Constitution and the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Do (Act No. 4 of 2000) clearly state that queer individuals and couples may not be discriminated against.
South Africa is a forwa
6 Countries in Africa That Own Legalized Same-Sex Relationships in the Past 10 Years
Editor's note: This article was originally published on Feb. 25, 2021 and has been updated to include other countries across Africa that have legalised same-sex relationships since publication.
Nearly half of the countries worldwide where homosexuality is outlawed are in Africa, according to a 2020 global review by the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex Association (ILGA).
In fact, out of the 54 African states, only 22 of them have legalized homosexuality. In some countries it is punishable by imprisonment, while it is punishable by death in four — Mauritania, Nigeria (in states where sharia law is applied), Somalia, and South Sudan.
For the majority of African nations, anti-LGBTQIA+ laws date back to the colonial era. However, LGBTQIA+ communities continue to face stigma, discrimination, and widespread threats and violence as a result of their sexual orientation and gender identities to this day.
In 2006, South Africa became the first and remains the only African country to legalize same-sex marriage, with a constitution that also protects against discrimin
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 strengthen 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 2025
Liechtenstein: On May 16, 2024, Liechtenstein's government passed a bill in favor of marriage equality. The law went into effe