Of the planet’s 195 countries, only 40 have legalized same-sex marriage. By contrast, same-sex sexual activity is illegal in
over 60 countries across the globe.
The world has undoubtedly come a long way since the Netherlands became the first country to legalize same-sex marriage in 2000. Canada became the first North American country to do so (in 2005); South Africa the first, and still only, in Africa (2006); Norway was the first Scandinavian country (2009); Argentina the first in Latin America (2010); New Zealand the first Asia-Pacific country (2013); and in May 2019, Taiwan became the first Asian country to legalize same-sex marriage. Add to this more than 20 other examples, all with their own intricacies, from court rulings to parliamentary votes.
For a rainbow-paved tour of the world, click through the following gallery and discover all the countries where same-sex marriage is legal.