Same-sex marriage
Same-sex marriage is a legal marriage (i.e. one typically formalized by filing papers at a government office) in which the two people being married are of the same sex. It gives these couples the same legal rights and status as married opposite-sex couples.
Unheard of a few decades ago, same-sex marriage is one of a number of issues involving gay rights and the "culture wars." Traditionally, in the United States, marriage has been considered to be one of the areas governed by each state rather than by the Federal Government, and marriage laws are a patchwork whose details are different in each state. The possibility of same-sex marriage in each state depends on that state's constitution.
In 1996 Congress recognized the likelihood that same-sex marriage would soon become legal in at least some states, and was concerned that the Constitution might be interpreted as forcing states that did not allow it to recognize marriages performed in states that did allow it. It passed the Defense of Marriage act, which prevents this possibility, and also prevents the Federal Government from recognizing same-sex marriages.
In 1999 a Vermont court ruled that under Vermont's constitution, it was not required to allow same-sex marriage but was required to make provisions to grant same-sex couples legal rights identical to those provided by marriage. Vermont responded by creating "civil unions," which are legally distinct from "marriages" but convey the same rights. As of 2007, Connecticut and New Jersey also provide civil unions. In 2003 the Massachusetts Supreme Court ruled that under Massachusetts' constitution, same-sex couples could not be denied Massachusetts marriage licenses, making Massachusetts the sole state to allow opposite-sex marriage.[1]
The religious ceremony of marriage is governed by each denomination and is unaffected by laws passed by civil authority. Same-sex marriage is forbidden in Orthodox Judaism, Catholicism, and most mainstream Protestant denominations. Thus, a same-sex couple cannot receive the Catholic sacrament of matrimony in Massachusetts or anywhere else.
Public attitude toward same-sex marriage parallels attitude toward homosexuality. In general, it is opposed by social conservatives, and most of the support for it is from liberals.
Same-sex marriages are allowed in Canada, the Netherlands, Belgium, South Africa, Monaco, Spain, Cayman Islands, Greenland, Netherland Antilles, Turks and Caicos Islands, United States (Masachusetts), Pitcairn Island, French Guiana, Falkland Islands.
Israel approves of same-sex marriges performed abroad, but does not perform them in the country.
Same-sex unions or registered partnerships are allowed in Hungary (from July 2007), Andorra, [[Italy]9 (some regions), Luxembourg, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, France, United Kingdom, Martinique, Guadeloupe, United States (Vermont, Connecticut, New Jersey, California, Maine, District of Coumbia and Hawaii), Mexico (Mexico City and Coahuila), Australia and Norfolk Island (Tasmania, Western Australia, Queensland, Australian Capital Territory, South Australia, Nirthern Territory, New South Wales and Victoria), New Caledonia, New Zealand, Brazil (Rio Grande do Sul), Argentina (Buenos Aires City and Rio Negro Privince).
Same-sex unions are considered in Hong-Kong, Philippines, Taiwan, Austria, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar, Greece, Gernsey, Ireland, Isle of Man, Jersey, Lichtenstein, Poland, Bermuda, Costa Rica, New Caledonia, Chile, Colombia, Uruguay.[2]