Where is same-sex marriage legal?

Ireland could be joining the list this year.

By Órla Ryan Sunday 1 Feb 2015, 8:00 AM

Feb 1st 2015, 8:00 AM 17,497 Views 269 Comments

https://jrnl.ie/1910664

Gay Marriage Florida John and Shel Goldstein hug during a group wedding in Florida on 6 January, the day the state lifted its ban on same-sex marriage. Source: AP/Press Association Images

IRISH CITIZENS WILL soon get the chance to vote on whether or not the following sentence should be added to the Constitution:

‘Marriage may be contracted in accordance with law by two persons without distinction as to their sex.’

In anticipation of May’s vote, people from both the ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ sides have started to publicly debate the issue in earnest.

If the Referendum is passed, Ireland will become the 20th country where same-sex marriage is legal. Civil partnership was introduced here in 2011.

Gay Marriages in Ireland Thomas Cahalan and Nicholas Nelson became the second male couple in Ireland to enter into a civil partnership in 2011. Source: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland

NOISE Protests Senator Katherine Zappone at a pro-marriage equality protest in 2012. Source: Laura Hutton/Photocall Ireland

Here’s a breakdown of where gay couples can marry and when the relevant legislation took effect:

same sex marriage

Note: Same-sex marriage is also legal in certain states in the US and Mexico.

Here are some photos of happy couples on their wedding days:

Where is same-sex marriage legal?

Previous 1 / 7Next

Scotland
Malcolm Brown (left) and Joe Schofield, both 42, kiss after tying the knot in The Trades Hall, Glasgow, in one of Scotland's first same-sex weddings (2014).Source: PA Wire/Press Association Images
United States
Cristina Jimenez (left) hugs her future bride, Liz Mabry, as they wait for their marriage license in Florida earlier this month. Source: AP/Press Association Images
England
Andrew Wale and Neil Allard pose for photographs following their wedding in Brighton (2014).Source: PA Archive/Press Association Images
United States
Yolanda Pascua (left) and Laekin Rogers getting married in Salt Lake City (2014).Source: AP/Press Association Images
Portugal
Helena Paixao (right) looks at Teresa Pires following their wedding in Lisbon. They were the first same-sex couple to marry in Portugal (2010).Source: AP/Press Association Images
Canada
Michael Stark (left) and Michael Leshner kiss after their marriage in Toronto (2003, two years before same sex marriage became legal in all Canadian states).Source: FRANK GUNN
United States
Vivian Boyack (91) and Alice Nonie Dubes (90) at their wedding in Iowa. They have been together for 73 years (2014).

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Vivian and Alice are both in their 90s and have been together 72 years. They tied the knot on Saturday.

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Where is same-sex marriage legal?

Ireland could be joining the list this year.

Scotland

United States

England

United States

Portugal

Canada

United States

Here’s the wording you’ll be voting on in same-sex marriage referendum