List of countries where other forms of same-sex unions are registered (civil partnerships or civil unions):

  1. Andorra
  2. Venezuela some states- June 2005 (civil union)
  3. British Overseas Territory: Falkland Islands- July 2005 (civil partnership)
  4. British Overseas Territory:
    - South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands    - July 2005 (civil partnership)
  5. Czech- July 2006 (civil partnership)
  6. Switzerland- January 2007 (civil partnership)
  7. Hungary- July 2009 (same-sex civil union)
  8. Austria- January 2010 (civil partnership), from January 1, 2019, same-sex marriages are allowed.
  9. Liechtenstein- September 2011 (civil partnership)
  10. Croatia- July 2014 (civil partnership)
  11. Ecuador- June 2014 (civil union)
  12. Chile- October 2015 (civil union)
  13. Cyprus
  14. Greece- December 2015 (civil partnership)
  15. Estonia- January 2016 (civil partnership, Cohabitation Agreement)
  16. Italy- May 2016

In contrast to same-sex marriage, where all the legal norms of same-sex and heterosexual families are the same (including issues of adoption of children), civil partnerships of same-sex or civil unions of same-sex are limited in legal rights.

Such restrictions are different and individual for each country, but they have common shades: same-sex unions have the same legal norms on property rights and the right to inheritance as heterosexual couples, but there are restrictions on the adoption of children, restrictions on artificial insemination and surrogacy, etc. forms of registration of a marriage union (in courts, with notaries, etc.), in some countries, discrimination against same-sex unions in taxation.

Controversial status of same-sex marriage in countries:

  • Costa Rica

    In July 2013, the Legislative Assembly (Parliament) of the country accidentally voted in favor of amendments to the Law on Youth. If earlier in the Family Code on civil marriage for Costa Ricans aged 15 to 35 years, it was said only about marriage between men and women, now it includes the words: "the right of recognition without discrimination of human dignity." This wording legalized same-sex marriage.
    Recovering themselves, the deputies turned to President Laura Chinchilla to use her veto, but the head of the republic refused to correct the mistakes of the legislators and signed the law. De jure, it is possible to conclude same-sex marriage in Costa Rica, but the de facto authorities can prohibit, and the courts support the power, relying on the fact that almost 73% of Costa Ricans do not support the idea of ​​same-sex marriage. So in September 2013 the family court in San Jose dismissed the lawsuit of a homosexual couple living together for 6 years. The men wanted to recognize their relationship as a "de facto marriage", but the judge refused. At the moment, the parliament is discussing the issue of legalizing same-sex marriage.

  • Part of the states in Mexico

    In June 2015, the Mexican Supreme Court ruled that the ban on same-sex "marriage" was unconstitutional, thus de jure the Supreme Court lifted restrictions on same-sex marriage throughout Mexico. Mexican Supreme Court Justice Olga Sanchez has demanded that all Mexican states, where same-sex marriage is still prohibited, legalize it as soon as possible. To date, 6 states (Coahuila, Chihuahua, Quintana Roo, Nayarit, Guerrero, Jalisco, Campeche, Michoacan, Morelos) and the city of Mexico City have legally complied with the Supreme Court ruling and legalized same-sex marriage.

  • Same-sex unions are recognized in de facto countries: Israel, Venezuela, China (since 1997), Hong Kong (since 1991), Japan (since 1980), Mongolia (since 2002), North and South Korea.
    For example, in Israel there is no same-sex marriage or any other form of same-sex cohabitation. But Israel recognizes same-sex marriages of its citizens overseas. The most popular places of marriage for same-sex couples are Canada and the United States, after which it is registered in Israel.
  • Aruba. Same-sex marriages in the Netherlands are recognized.
  • In Armenia, since July 2017, same-sex marriages concluded abroad are valid.
  • On May 23, 2017, Taiwan's Supreme Court lifted the ban on same-sex marriage in the country, because. the ban violates 2 articles of the civil code, infringing on the rights of sexual minorities. According to the court decision, the government must pass the relevant laws within two years. Otherwise, upon the expiration of this period, same-sex couples will be automatically allowed to register their marriages.

In Bermuda, same-sex marriage was permitted by a Supreme Court decision in May 2017.

But the court's decision was negatively assessed in society, in particular, thousands of protest actions were held in front of the parliament building. And in February 2018, the Governor of Bermuda signed into law a law abolishing the right of gay couples to marry.

According to Interior Minister Walton Brown, the decision was made to strike a balance between the interests of a fairly conservative society and European legislation: same-sex marriages in Bermuda will not be registered, but the territory will continue to recognize and protect the rights of same-sex couples.

According to the Governor of Bermuda, same-sex couples will have rights similar to those of official spouses. In particular, they will be able to make decisions about medical procedures on behalf of a partner.

Marriages prior to the signing of the ban will continue to be recognized under the new law. However, homosexual couples are now only eligible for registered home partnerships.

Data updated in February 2018

Often in the park, I see couples, consisting of two men, who ride a stroller with a baby. Perhaps they are just friends or brothers. But a picture immediately appears in my head that they are “husband and wife”. They look kind of special ...

Which countries allow same-sex marriage

Same-sex marriage is a family union of persons of the same sex (boy-boy, girl-girl).

This topic is rather delicate, but it is impossible not to notice it. Moreover, recently people with a non-traditional orientation have been making themselves known more and more loudly through rallies and parades.

I have a twofold attitude towards such people. On the one hand, I don't care who sleeps with whom, because everyone has their own vision of happiness. But on the other hand, no matter how hard I try to convince myself that everyone can live as he wants, I still feel that this is wrong. Not Christian.

Nevertheless, a number of countries have already officially adopted a law allowing the registration of same-sex marriages and not to be shy. These countries include:

  • Canada;
  • Argentina;
  • Uruguay;
  • Brazil;
  • Mexico;
  • Iceland;
  • Sweden.

And this is not the whole list.


I noticed an interesting feature - all permits for the creation of same-sex families began to be given after 2001. That is, starting from the XXI century. In this I see a connection with the fact that earlier people were less depraved than they are now.

Although "gays" and "pink" were at all times, but they never declared themselves so loudly, and certainly did not get married or have children. In the last century, this was considered a shame.

In the modern world, society has become so self-confident and free that even homosexuality becomes almost a matter of pride.

The Church's Attitude Toward Same-Sex Marriage

It is strange to me that some of the Catholic churches in England perform wedding ceremonies for non-traditional couples.


Given that, in general, Christian, Catholic and other faiths are categorically against such marriages. There are even lines in the Bible where God calls men not to lie with men as with women, for this is an abomination.

Same-sex marriage legalized in many countries of the world, and this trend continues to spread. The issue of legalizing same-sex family relations is decided by each state of the world individually and largely depends on traditions, mentality, religion and other intrastate factors.

1994 UN Cairo International Conference on Population and Development

Recognition process same-sex marriage began after the UN Cairo International Conference on Population and Development (1994). During its implementation, the following principles were proclaimed:

  • Equality and prohibition of discrimination of various types of sexual unions.
  • Ensuring the safety and interests of all forms of sexual unions.
  • Granting gay people the right to form alliances with people of the opposite sex.

The Vatican and the governments of Latin American countries have expressed sharp criticism of these provisions, arguing their position with statements about the unnaturalness, immorality and sinfulness of such alliances.

Although the Russian delegation took an active part in the conduct of this conference, no statements were made regarding the above principles. At the time of the conference, sodomy in Russia was punishable by law.

The position of the European Union regarding the conference was quite open and liberal, since the EU announced abortion and same sex marriage exclusive human rights that the state has no right to restrict.

Countries that legalize same-sex marriage

The Netherlands is the first country in the world to allow individuals to conclude in 2001 same sex marriage... The Dutch parliament also granted homosexual couples the right to adopt children if the period of their cohabitation in the territory of this country exceeds 3 years.

Belgium became the second country to legalize same sex marriage(2003). This decision of the Belgian government was accompanied by the granting of homosexual unions full rights to inheritance, taxation, life and health insurance, protection of the right to common joint property. Spain became the third country that, despite opposition from the Vatican, legalized same sex marriage(2005 year).

The Norwegian Parliament in 2008 not only legalized the possibility of creating homosexual unions, but also gave same-sex couples the right to hold a marriage ceremony in a church and adopt children on an equal basis with heterosexual families.

Legalization same-sex marriage in America took place at the state level, where the population was given the right through a popular referendum to express their views on homosexual unions. This gave same-sex couples the right to legalize their relationships in California, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, New Hampshire, Maryland, Washington, and the District of Columbia.

Don't know your rights?

Some Latin American countries have also legislated the right of homosexual couples to legitimize their relationship: Mexico, Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay.

Based on the analysis of recent years, there is a tendency for the recognition of same-sex unions in Western Europe, North and South America, in the Scandinavian countries. However, the states of Eastern Europe (Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, etc.), Asia (China, UAE, Israel, Turkey, etc.), Oceania (Indonesia, etc.), due to national traditions and religious views do not approve of legalization same-sex marriage.

Same-sex marriage in Russia: legal regulation

Russian legislation does not regulate the legal relationship regarding the possibility of imprisonment same-sex marriage, and from this it follows that it is impossible to register a homosexual union on the territory of Russia. Same-sex marriage registered on the territory of a foreign state are not recognized on the territory of the Russian Federation, since their conclusion contradicts the foundations of national legislation.

This policy is explained by the demographic and social situation in the Russian Federation. Population growth in the Russian Federation over the past 5 years has reached negative indicators (mortality exceeds the birth rate). The introduction of same-sex marriage, according to the authorities, will lead to the "extinction of the nation." Russian politicians have repeatedly made reports that under the influence of homosexual movements in the world the moral values ​​and foundations of society are being destroyed.

Despite the lack of recognition same-sex marriage, Russia has a policy of non-discrimination and ensuring the fundamental constitutional rights of same-sex unions. Persons of non-traditional orientation enjoy the same rights as persons of heterosexual orientation: freedom of thought and speech, movement, inviolability of personal life, etc.

According to clause 13 of article 127 of the Family Code of the Russian Federation of December 29, 1995 No. 223-FZ, persons who have entered into a same-sex marriage cannot be adoptive parents.

Public position of Russian society regarding same-sex marriage

The level of tolerance of Russian society towards same-sex marriage is one of the lowest in the world. However, this position is substantiated by objective historical and religious factors that are not inherent in the countries of Western, Northern Europe and America.

In the pre-revolutionary period, marriage was viewed exclusively as a union of a man and a woman, and all other manifestations of love were associated with "sodomy." These views are closely related to the unshakable position of the Orthodox Church, which does not recognize same-sex marriage.

The emergence of numerous religions and faiths, the provision of a wide range of freedom of speech and action, the creation of numerous social movements and associations of homosexuals are the main reason for the introduction and legalization of same-sex relationships in Western countries. Most of the above factors in Russian society are unacceptable and alien, and the absolute majority of the population has a categorically negative attitude towards the legalization of same-sex marriage.

This public position is supported by quite objective statements. The legalization of homosexual unions, according to scientific and sociological research, leads to a negative demographic situation in the country, an increase in the number of venereal diseases, and moral values ​​and foundations are losing their meaning.

However, every year Russian society perceives homosexual unions more tolerant and humanely, and the number of public condemnations in their direction is rapidly decreasing (especially in large cities). Thus, despite the negative position of society regarding same-sex marriage, the conditions for the existence of homosexual couples in Russia exist and are at a normal level.

To summarize, we can say that the issue of accepting or not accepting same-sex marriage is an internal affair of each state. However, most of the civilized countries of the world adhere to democratic views regarding the creation of conditions for the existence of same-sex unions.


The topic of same-sex marriage in Russia is timidly but periodically raised by members of the LGBT community. Legalization idea such a relationship causes a violent reaction in a country dominated by Orthodoxy and Islam, which categorically do not recognize such marriages. The main current regulatory act in the country governing relations between spouses is the IC of the Russian Federation. It is determined by the conditions for entering into an official marriage. According to this article, a man and a woman who have reached the age of majority can enter into marriage by mutual consent (as a general rule).

It should be understood that the article describes the most basic situations and does not take into account a number of technical points. To solve your particular problem, get legal advice on housing issues by calling the hot lines:

Call now and solve your questions - it's fast and free!

The reasons why a marriage cannot be registered are indicated in. It is this article that is the clue in the current legislation that the citizens of Russia are trying to rely on, wishing to officially register their same-sex marriage. The text of Article 14 does not contain a direct prohibition of the law on the conclusion of such an alliance, but it also does not give permission for the official recognition of such a family.

In a situation where registry offices refuse to register same-sex marriages, one noisy case was noted by the press. In St. Petersburg, a marriage was officially registered between a woman and a man who was in a state of gender reassignment. Both spouses came to registration in white wedding dresses.

To solve their problems, Russian LGBT representatives register their relations in those countries where same-sex marriage is allowed. Such marriages are not recognized in Russia. refuses citizens who are in same-sex marriage in the adoption of children in the country. LGBT people see this as discrimination against their rights. From time to time they file claims in various courts for the protection of their rights to create a same-sex family, and are denied their satisfaction. The existing statistics indicate that the negative rel O change to such marriages in society over the years only increases.

The good news for foreign citizens - representatives of the LGBT community, may be the fact that they can legalize relations in the embassies of their countries, if such marriages are allowed in them.

1994 UN Cairo International Conference

Unconventional relationships between men and women are not a product of the 21st or 20th century. They have existed in people's lives at all times. But only after Cairo UN Conference, which had international status and was dedicated to the population of the planet, an active process has begun to legalize same-sex marriage. This conference was held in Cairo in 1994. The Catholic Church has come out with harsh condemnation of weddings between members of the same sex, although many of its priests later found themselves at the center of homosexual scandals.

The Russian delegation was included in the list of countries that took part in the conference. One of the principles adopted at the conference was the equality and equivalence of same-sex marriage in relation to traditional unions. This principle was supported by many European countries and the USA.

Countries that allow same-sex marriage

The first same-sex marriage was officially registered in 2001. It happened in the Netherlands, which took into account the opinion of the participants in the Cairo conference and recognized the principles established at it. Other countries followed the Netherlands. In 2003, a similar decision was made by Belgium, in 2005 - by Canada and Spain, in 2006 - by South Africa. Later in 2009, Norway and Sweden joined them. 2010 added three new countries to them - Argentina, Portugal and Iceland. Included in the list of 20 countries are Denmark, Finland, Uruguay, Brazil, France, New Zealand, USA, Luxembourg and even Ireland and Colombia. Controversial status for same-sex marriage in Costa Rica. In Germany, same-sex marriage is recognized as a civil partnership. A similar practice of registering same-sex unions has existed in this country since 2001. During this time, it was concluded more than 35 thousand similar relationships between LGBT members. Many other countries of the world followed the same path as Germany. Among them are Austria, Andorra, Hungary, Greece, Switzerland and even Venezuela. The difference between same-sex marriage and civil partnership lies in the clear legal limitation of rights in the second case of registration of the relationship. For each country, such restrictions have their own form.