Saturday, December 03, 2005
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Marriage Equality Around the World
America is the “land of the free.” We are so proud of our freedom that we want to spread it around the world, sometimes by force, as in Iraq. Unfortunately the freedoms afforded to America’s citizens are not equal. In fact, America has fallen behind other nations around the world when it comes to marriage equality. So where in the world is same-sex marriage legal?
All these nations have granted some form of same-sex partnerships and the world didn’t come to an end, as some right wing “Christians” will have us believe. Over a year has passed since Massachusetts began issuing same-sex marriage licenses, and a recent attempt to ban such marriages failed in the legislature 157-39.
Republican state Sen. Brian Lees, the amendment's co-sponsor, was no longer able to support the language. "Gay marriage has begun, and life has not changed for the citizens of the commonwealth, with the exception of those who can now marry,'' said Lees.”This amendment, which was an appropriate measure or compromise a year ago, is no longer, I feel, a compromise today."
All laws and state constitutional amendments in the U.S., banning same=sex marriage, are unconstitutional under The United States Constitution, which states in Article. IV, Section. 2:
This means, simply, that if the majority of citizens (heterosexuals) are granted a right or privilege (marriage), then that same right must be extended to all citizens including minorities (homosexuals). It’s a sad commentary in this day and time that minorities in the freest country in the world are still fighting for religious and civil freedoms.
Updated: 12/03/2005
Full marriage equality:Netherlands- a constitutional monarchy
The first country to grant gay marriage in 2001.Belgium- a federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarch
The second nation to legalize same-sex marriage in 2003.Canada- a constitutional monarchy that is also a parliamentary democracy and a federation
In June of 2005, the Canadian Parliament enacted a law allowing legal marriage for same-sex couples.Spain- a parliamentary monarchy
Spain became the forth nation to allow gay marriage on June 29, 2005The United Kingdom; including England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland- a constitutional monarchy
Will become the 5th nation to allow gay 'marriages' on roughly the same basis as heterosexual marriages., set to take effect on December 21, 2005.South Africa- a Parliamentary democracy
South Africa will become the world's 6th nation to recongnize same-sex marriage on December 1, 2006.Massachusetts, USA- a Constitution-based federal republic
On May 17, 2004 Massachusetts became the first U.S. state to legalize same-sex marriage.
Civil Unions:Croatia- a presidential/parliamentary democracy
Civil partnerships since 2003.Denmark- a constitutional monarchy
Legal civil partnerships have been allowed since 1989.Finland- a republic
Registered partnerships since September 2001.France- a republic
“Civil Solidarity Pacts,” (PACS) since November 9, 1999.Germany- a federal republic
"Life Partnerships," granting equal financial and pension benefits as marriage.Hungary- a parliamentary democracy
Common-law marriages since 1995; however they are not eligible for legal marriage.Iceland- a constitutional republic
Since 1996, registered partnerships.Luxembourg- a constitutional monarchy
Civil partnerships since 2004.New Zealand- a parliamentary democracy
Same-sex civil unions since December, 2004.Norway- a constitutional monarchy
Registered partnerships since 1996Portugal- a parliamentary democracy
Same-sex partners have the same rights as opposite-sex partners in common law marriage.Sweden- a constitutional monarchy
Domestic partnerships since 1995.Switzerland- a federal republic
Same-sex couples are given limited legal benefits with civil recognition.California, USA- a Constitution-based federal republic
California provides domestic partnerships.Connecticut, USA- a Constitution-based federal republic
The second U.S. state to grant same-sex civil unions in April, 2005.New Jersey, USA- a Constitution-based federal republic
Domestic Partnerships that grant same-sex couples many of the full rights of marriage.Vermont, USA- a Constitution-based federal republic
The first U.S. state to offer same-sex civil unions in 2000.
All these nations have granted some form of same-sex partnerships and the world didn’t come to an end, as some right wing “Christians” will have us believe. Over a year has passed since Massachusetts began issuing same-sex marriage licenses, and a recent attempt to ban such marriages failed in the legislature 157-39.
Republican state Sen. Brian Lees, the amendment's co-sponsor, was no longer able to support the language. "Gay marriage has begun, and life has not changed for the citizens of the commonwealth, with the exception of those who can now marry,'' said Lees.”This amendment, which was an appropriate measure or compromise a year ago, is no longer, I feel, a compromise today."
All laws and state constitutional amendments in the U.S., banning same=sex marriage, are unconstitutional under The United States Constitution, which states in Article. IV, Section. 2:
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States.
This means, simply, that if the majority of citizens (heterosexuals) are granted a right or privilege (marriage), then that same right must be extended to all citizens including minorities (homosexuals). It’s a sad commentary in this day and time that minorities in the freest country in the world are still fighting for religious and civil freedoms.
Updated: 12/03/2005
