Modern democratic states fully adhere to the principle of humanism, which is based on the full development of the individual, regardless of his religion, gender, nationality and sexual orientation. It is the latter aspect that has become the subject of numerous disputes and conflicts, since not all members of modern society accept same-sex relationships, much less same-sex marriage.
Let's consider the question of where registration of such unions is allowed, what international acts exist in this regard, and also where such love is prohibited at the legislative level.
Same-sex marriage in Russia
- Same-sex marriage is prohibited in Russia. In addition, same-sex marriages registered in other countries are not recognized. This is due to moral, ethical, demographic and legal standards.
- It is generally accepted that permission for same-sex marriage is given by countries that have a problem with the demographic background, their territory suffers from overpopulation and needs to adjust the birth rate.
- In Russia there is no such problem, and searching for an alternative to traditional marriage makes no sense. On the contrary, the Russian state is interested in increasing the birth rate and developing the distant territories of the country. In addition, a healthy genotype of the population is important for Russia. Homosexuality is a deviation from the norm, a defect, like a disability. And it can also be congenital and acquired. The Russian people do not accept the spread of such “disability” into their ranks. It's the same as making disabled people out of healthy people. The Russian people sacredly honor the traditions of continuing their lineage.
Same-sex marriage
According to the legislation of the Russian Federation, same-sex relationships have the following restrictions:
- The adoption of children, including the child of one of the partners, is prohibited. This is due to the lack of ability to collect child support from a non-biological parent. It is also impossible to pay compensation for the loss of a breadwinner.
- Due to the non-recognition of such relationships and the lack of official family status, couples are deprived of social support. Government agencies do not participate in funded programs for sexual minorities. The unofficial status of such a family does not allow them to secure rights to joint property.
- These unions are deprived of the opportunity to take part in reproductive programs. There are exceptions in certain cases, for example, single women are allowed to donate to a sperm bank. In this case, the woman who carried the child will be recognized as the parent. But only officially registered couples can legitimize a child from a surrogate mother
- for a person with a non-traditional orientation to adopt a child . Although there is no explicit prohibition on this in the law.
- Individuals who identify as transgender are prohibited from taking custody of a child.
Russian Federation
It is impossible to register a homosexual marriage on the territory of our country, because Russian legislation does not regulate the possibility of registering such relationships. Moreover, same-sex marriages that were concluded in another state (where this is permitted) are not recognized as valid in our country. This simply contradicts the fundamentals of national legislation.
In Russia, it is unlikely that people of the same sex will ever be allowed to marry. We have a different worldview, a different demographic and social situation. Russian politicians, like the majority of citizens of our country, argue that such marriages are not only what leads to the extinction of the nation, but also a factor that destroys moral values and the foundations of society. Well, everyone has their own opinion on this matter, and the laws in the world are different, but in Russia this is not the case, and many are happy about this fact.
Where is same-sex marriage legal?
- Tolerant attitudes towards same-sex marriage are widespread in 44 states. Their main number is concentrated in South and North America, as well as Europe .
- These are countries that support the human right to self-determination - followers of freedom and democracy. These include: Belgium, Finland, Czech Republic, Netherlands, Italy, Israel, Spain, France, Canada, Denmark, Sweden.
Authorized in 44 states
- There are also countries where same-sex marriage is legalized, but with some restrictions in legal possibilities: Hungary, Estonia, Ecuador, Austria, Greece, Switzerland, Cyprus, Croatia, Chile, Andorra, Liechtenstein . In Mexico, such a union is permissible only in half of the country; the Costa Rica region has a controversial status.
Laws passed before 2000
So, when talking about where same-sex marriage is allowed, we should talk about countries that allowed such relationships to be registered back in the 20th century. So, Denmark turned out to be the most tolerant. It tops the list of countries where same-sex marriage is legal, since the law was passed there back in 1986.
Norway is next. There, a law allowing marriage between people of the same sex was passed in 1993. More precisely, civil unions. Officially, that is, with registration, only in 2009. Since 1995, partnerships have been allowed to be registered in Sweden, and full same-sex marriages have been allowed, just like in Norway, since 2009. Oddly enough, in Bulgaria too the government has endowed such unions with economic rights (regarding medical services, inheritance, immigration and burial rights). Since 2009, such people have been allowed to officially marry. Only the right to change surname and adopt children is excluded.
Since 1996, Iceland has also adopted the law described - there people of unconventional orientation can get married and be the same family as others, with all the rights. In Holland it’s the same, but since 1998. By the way, it was this country that was the first to propose introducing the wording “same-sex marriage” into legislation.
Muslim countries where same-sex marriage is legal
- Most Muslim countries deny same-sex relationships and strictly punish violations of the law - there is the death penalty.
- However, there are those in which there have been attempts to simplify the punishment or legalize the law on registering such a marriage - Iraq and Indonesia.
- Muslims who tolerate same-sex marriage fear persecution or death by authorities in their own country.
- Supporters of non-traditional marriages prefer to show their tolerance, as well as register non-traditional relationships in European countries where such marriages are not prohibited by law.
International regulation and legalization
As mentioned above, homosexuality and lesbianism were until recently recognized as a disease, but in 1990 homosexuality was removed from the list of diseases.
This phenomenon is associated with the worldwide struggle for equality, including the right to choose a life partner. In 1994, the Cairo International UN Conference was held, during which the following decisions were made:
- The basic principles of human rights and freedoms are formulated;
- The right to choose any sexual partner is defined;
- The right to enter into any union is determined, regardless of the gender of the couple;
- The equality of people is proclaimed regardless of race, skin color, religion and sexual orientation.
Moreover, since 2013, May 17 is celebrated annually as World Day Against Homophobia.
In 2011, the UN adopted a resolution according to which it is prohibited to discriminate against homosexuals.
Read also: Marriage age in the Russian Federation
Today, around the world, there is a mixed opinion on the issue of legalizing same-sex relationships. A huge part of the state completely denies and prohibits this form of love, even to the point of imposing the death penalty on its participants.
Some states do not relate to same-sex marriage in any way, that is, they support the traditional form between a man and a woman, but at the same time do not react or punish couples consisting of women or men.
Some countries, due to the lack of legislative regulation on their territory, recognize marriages registered in another state.
And the most loyal countries not only support this form of marriage, but also allow such same-sex marriages to be legalized.
US states where same-sex marriage is legal
- For a long time in the United States, the existing law on non-traditional marriage was not recognized in all states. Based on this, numerous amendments were made to the original law. Since not all states unanimously approved this legislation, repeated referendums were held.
- However , since 2015, the US Supreme Court decided to lift the ban on registering non-traditional marriages in the remaining 14 American states. Thus, this law on the possibility of entering into same-sex marriage is now in effect throughout America.
Allowed in the USA
- Now, among others, you can register non-traditional relationships in the remaining 14 states: Texas, Alabama, Tennessee, Arkansas, South and North Dakota, Georgia, Ohio, Kentucky, Nebraska, Louisiana, Missouri, Michigan and Mississippi.
Homosexuality in Ancient Rome
When the first homosexual relationships arose, history is silent.
In ancient rock paintings there are images of men copulating. In Ancient Rome, homosexual love was considered absolutely normal . They didn’t hide it, they were proud of it.
Emperor Nero, for example, did not hide his relationship with male prostitutes Pythagoras and Sporus. Homosexuals were treated very differently in the Christian Roman Empire.
The Byzantine Emperor Justinian issued a decree on the burning of all those found guilty of homosexual relations. Later laws from the time of Emperors Constantine V and Leo III punished a similar act with the death penalty.
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Where is same-sex marriage legal in Europe?
- Same-sex marriages are officially permitted in the following European countries: Sweden, the Netherlands, Denmark, Spain, Belgium, Iceland, Norway, Portugal, Malta, Australia, Ireland.
- Some countries have chosen to simplify the registration system for such marriages, but to limit some social rights for them: raising children, receiving inheritance and taxation. Each state chooses these restrictions individually. One of these countries is Germany. In Poland and Italy, same-sex marriages are not persecuted, but are not officially registered.
Same-sex marriage in Germany
Netherlands
The country that was the first to legalize alternative sexual preferences is the Netherlands. Thanks to a decision by the Dutch parliament in April 2001, the Netherlands recognized same-sex marriage. With this decision, many other countries followed the Netherlands. Same-sex couples have the right to marry, divorce and adopt children. Moreover, initially children were allowed to be adopted only within the country; later it became possible to adopt children from other countries.
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Countries where same-sex marriage is allowed in 2020-2021: list of countries
- Every year, the number of countries that allow same-sex marriage and also recognize the registration of a same-sex union in another country increases.
- Currently this list includes: Spain, the Netherlands, Canada, South Africa, USA, Belgium, Colombia, Portugal, Norway, England, Germany, Denmark, Malta, New Zealand, Australia, Uruguay, France, Iceland, Sweden, partly Mexico, Argentina, Israel (allows registration in other countries), Finland, Luxembourg, Brazil, Slovenia.
- Countries allowing civil partnership : Greece, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Andorra, Croatia, Falkland Islands, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Austria.
- States allowing same-sex unions among citizens: Estonia, Italy, Hungary, Chile, part of Venezuela, Ecuador.
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Argentina
Argentina also legalized same-sex marriage in 2010. It became the first Latin American country to make this possible. The Catholic Church opposed this decision. However, the law provides same-sex couples with all the rights currently afforded to heterosexuals in matters of marriage. For any marriage to be successful, commitment to the partner is required, whether it is between a same-sex couple or an opposite-sex couple.
