Countries/States Allowing Same-Sex Marriage or Civil Unions

According to About.com, the following countries/states allow same-sex marriage:

• The Netherlands/Holland, 2001
• Belgium, 2003
• Massachusetts, USA, 2004
• Canada, 2005
• Spain, 2005
• South Africa, 2006
• Connecticut, USA, 2008
• Norway, 2009
• Iowa, USA, 2009
• Sweden, 2009
• Vermont, USA, 2009

Furthermore, according to About.com, the following countries/states allow same-sex registered partnerships / civil unions or provide some form of spousal rights for gay couples:

• Denmark, 1989.
• Norway, 1993.
• Sweden, 1996.
• Iceland, 1996.
• France, 1999.
• Vermont, USA, 2000.
• Germany, 2001.
• Finland, 2002.
• Luxembourg, 2004.
• New Zealand, 2004
• Connecticut, USA, 2005
• Britain, 2005
• New Jersey, USA, 2006
• New Hampshire, USA, 2008
• Oregon, USA, 2008
• Maine, USA
• California, USA
• Washington, USA
• Hawaii, USA

To read the entire article, click on Same-Sex Marriage FAQ – – Gender-Neutral Marriage Laws.

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Truthfulpolitics.com researched that same-sex partnership rights, ranging from full marriage to domestic partnerships, are currently recognized in nine states:

• Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, and Vermont allow same-sex marriage.
• New Jersey and New Hampshire allows civil unions.
• California, Hawaii, and Maine have domestic partnership registries.