Recognition of same-sex relationships in other countries and states
Internationally, there is a growing trend towards legal recognition of same-sex relationships. If these jurisdictions can recognise same-sex relationships, why can't Australia? Same sex marriage is legal in these jurisdictions:
- The Netherlands (2001)
- Belgium (2003)
- Massachusetts, USA (2004)
- Canada (2005)
- Spain (2005)
- South Africa (by 2006)
Civil unions are recognised in these jurisdictions:
- Denmark (1989)
- Norway (1993)
- Israel (1994)
- Sweden (1995)
- Greenland (1996)
- Hungary (1996)
- Iceland (1996)
- France (1999)
- Germany (2001)
- Portugal (2001)
- Finland (2002)
- Croatia (2003)
- Luxembourg (2004)
- New Zealand (2005)
- United Kingdom (2005)
- Andorra (2005)
- Slovenia (by 2006)
- Switzerland (Approved 2005; Expected implemented 2007)
Civil unions are recognised in some regions in:
- Argentina (Buenos Aires, Rio Negro) (2003)
- Spain (11 autonomous communities) (1998)
- Italy (8 regions) (2004)
- Brazil (Rio Grande de Sul) (2004)
- United States:
- Civil Unions: Vermont (2000) and Connecticut (2005);
- Domestic Partnerships: Hawaii (1997), California (1999), Washington DC (2002), Maine (2004), New Jersey (2004)
- Australia: Tasmania (2004) and ACT (expected implementation March 2006).
