Speaker of the House Mike Johnson has come under scrutiny for comments about revoking rights from gay Americans, including same-sex marriage. Thankfully, even if the worst were to happen, other countries still offer those rights for LGBTQIA+ folks. Since the Netherlands first legalized gay marriage back in 2001, the fight for equality continues to bear fruit, with a former Soviet state being the latest nation to sign gay marriage into law.
Andorra
The tiny European nation of Andorra legalized same-sex marriage in February 2023.
Argentina
Argentina signed same-sex marriage into law in July 2010.
Australia
Australia legalized same-sex marriage in December 2017.
Austria
Austria legalized gay marriage in January 2019.
Belgium
Belgium legalized same-sex marriage in June 2003.
Brazil
Brazil signed same-sex marriage into law nationwide in May 2016.
Canada
Canada made same-sex marriage legal nationwide in July 2005.
Chile
Chile signed same-sex marriage into national law in March 2022.
Colombia
Colombia signed gay marriage into law in April 2016.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica made same-sex marriage the law of the land in May 2020.
Denmark
Same-sex marriage has been legal throughout Denmark since June 2012.
Ecuador
Ecuador made gay marriage legal as recently as July 2019.
Estonia
The most recent country on this list, Estonia signed gay marriage into law in mid-2023, taking effect on January 1, 2024. It’s the first of the former Soviet states to do so.
Finland
Finland signed gay marriage into law in March 2017.
France
France made gay marriage a legal right as of May 2013.
Germany
Same-sex marriage has been legal in Germany since October 2017.
Iceland
Iceland enshrined same-sex marriage rights in June 2010.
Ireland
The Irish wrote gay marriage into law back in November 2015.
Luxembourg
Gay marriage has been the law in Luxembourg since day 1 of 2015.
Malta
Malta established same-sex marriage as a right in September 2017.
Mexico
Mexico legalized gay marriage nationwide on December 31, 2022.
The Netherlands
The Netherlands was the first country to legalize same-sex marriage in April 2001.
New Zealand
New Zealand/Aotearoa established same-sex marriage as a legal right in August 2013.
Norway
Gay marriage went into effective nationwide for Norway on January 1, 2009.
Portugal
Portugal entered gay marriage into law back in June 2010.
Slovenia
Slovenia established same-sex couples’ right to marry in July 2022.
South Africa
South Africa legalized same-sex marriage in November 2006. As of 2023, it is the only country in Africa to do so.
Spain
Spain established same-sex marriage as the law of the land in July 2005.
Sweden
Sweden signed gay marriage into law back in May 2009.
Switzerland
Later than some of its EU counterparts, Switzerland legalized gay marriage in July 2022.
Taiwan
Taiwan established the right for same-sex couples to get married as of May 2019. It’s currently the only Asian country to legalize gay marriage nationwide.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom legalized equal marriage rights for same-sex couples in January 2020.
United States
The US established same-sex marriage as a nationwide right with the Supreme Court’s Obergefell v. Hodges decision in June 2015.
Uruguay
Uruguay signed gay marriage into law as of August 2013.
Source: Wikipedia.
Best Cities for Lesbian Expats
With anti-queer rhetoric ramping up across the U.S., LGBTQ+ folks of all stripes are looking to leave for new homes where they can live loud and proud. Here’s the best cities for lesbian expats looking to move abroad.
➤ Best Cities for Lesbian Expats
20 Best Countries for Transgender People Who Want to Leave the U.S.
If you’re considering moving your family to a country that’s more welcoming to transgender people, travel journalists Asher & Lyric have created a guide to the best and worst countries for trans rights and ranked the United States in 40th place. Here are their top 20 countries.
➤ 20 Best Countries for Transgender People Who Want to Leave the U.S.
The 10 Best Cities for Gay Men Expats
Looking to leave the US behind and find gay-friendly cities abroad? Whether it’s sunny beaches in Latin America or cooler climates in the Nordic countries calling your name, Expatsi’s got you covered. Here’s our list of the 10 best cities for gay men.
