Same-sex marriage

Home > Family and Consumer Science > Family Law and Policy > Same-sex marriage

Legal recognition of a committed relationship between two individuals of the same sex and the rights and obligations that flow from it.

Historical perspectives: A study of the historical context of same-sex marriage, including the development of marriage law, society's changing attitudes towards homosexuality, and legal issues surrounding same-sex marriage.
Constitutional law: An exploration of the legal and constitutional issues of same-sex marriage, including issues regarding the federal government's ability to regulate the definition of marriage and state laws that grant marriage rights to same-sex couples.
The role of religion: A discussion on the role of religion in shaping societal attitudes towards same-sex marriage, including the various religious views and their impact on marriage inequality.
Comparative law: A study of the legal regimes surrounding same-sex marriage in different countries, including any landmark court decisions, legislative decisions, or other legal developments.
Civil rights: An investigation of the civil rights issues surrounding same-sex marriage, including anti-discrimination laws and the effect of same-sex marriage prohibitions on the fundamental rights of LGBTQ+ persons.
Public policy: An analysis of same-sex marriage from a public policy perspective, including discussions on how it impacts public spending and social welfare, as well as its effect on societal norms and values.
Gender and sexuality: A study of how issues of gender and sexuality affect same-sex marriage, including how same-sex marriage policies affect traditional gender roles in society.
Adoption and parenting: An examination of how same-sex marriage impacts adoption and parenting, including how the courts and society view lesbian and gay parenting and how same-sex parental rights are enforced.
Familial relationships: An appraisal of the impact of same-sex marriage on familial relationships, including the legal issues surrounding the estate and property rights of same-sex partners.
Marriage equality movement: An overview of the history and evolution of the marriage equality movement, including the various tactics used in achieving marriage equality and its lasting impact on society.
Civil Union: Legal recognition of same-sex partnership that provides similar legal rights and responsibilities as marriage, but not all of its rights and benefits.
Domestic Partnership: Legal union of same-sex couples that provides some benefits similar to marriage, such as hospital visitation rights and inheritance.
Registered Partnership: Legal marital-style union, recognized in some countries, that grants same-sex couples some rights and benefits, but not all of them.
Same-Sex Marriage: Legal union of two people of the same sex that provides all the legal rights and benefits of opposite-sex marriages.
Common-law marriage: A marriage-like relationship that is not formally registered with the state, but is recognized by law in some states.
De facto marriage: A lifelong commitment between two people, often in the absence of formal legal recognition.
Open marriage: A marital arrangement where both partners agree to non-monogamous relationships with others.
Group Marriage: A marital arrangement where more than two people participate in a relationship and share the legal and emotional responsibilities of marriage.
Polyamorous Marriage: A marital arrangement where a group of individuals, who may or may not all have sexual relationships with each other, share the legal and emotional responsibilities of marriage.
Covenant Marriage: A type of marriage where the spouses agree to counseling or mediation before filing for divorce, and limit grounds for divorce.
"As of 2023, marriage between same-sex couples is legally performed and recognized in 34 countries..."
"It will become legal in a 35th country, Estonia, on 1 January 2024."
"Adoption rights are not necessarily covered, though most states with same-sex marriage allow those couples to jointly adopt..."
"In contrast, 35 countries (as of 2023) have definitions of marriage in their constitutions that prevent marriage between couples of the same sex..."
"It is not yet recognized in any of the world's Islamic polities."
"The first same-sex couple to be married legally in modern times were Michael McConnell and Jack Baker in 1971 in the United States..."
"The first law providing for marriage equality between same-sex and opposite-sex couples was passed in the continental Netherlands in 2000..."
"The application of marriage law equally to same-sex and opposite-sex couples has varied by jurisdiction..."
"The most prominent supporters of same-sex marriage are the world's major medical and scientific communities, along with human rights and civil rights organizations..."
"Its most prominent opponents are religious fundamentalist groups."
"Scientific studies show that the financial, psychological, and physical well-being of gay people are enhanced by marriage..."
"Same-sex marriage can provide those in committed same-sex relationships with relevant government services and make financial demands on them comparable to that required of those in opposite-sex marriages..."
"Opposition is based on claims such as homosexuality is unnatural and abnormal, that the recognition of same-sex unions will promote homosexuality in society, and that children are better off when raised by opposite-sex couples..."
"These claims are refuted by scientific studies, which show that homosexuality is a natural and normal variation in human sexuality..."
"...that children of same-sex couples fare just as well as the children of opposite-sex couples."
"Polls consistently show continually rising support for the recognition of same-sex marriage in all developed democracies and in some developing countries."
"Social science research indicates that the exclusion of same-sex couples from marriage stigmatizes and invites public discrimination against gay and lesbian people..."
"...children of same-sex parents benefit from being raised by married same-sex couples within a marital union that is recognized by law and supported by societal institutions."
"Notable exceptions are Italy, Japan, South Korea, Greece, and the Czech Republic."
"Some countries, such as China and Russia, restrict advocacy for same-sex marriage."