Obama's Gay Awakening
The president’s bold support shifted the mainstream. Andrew Sullivan on why it shouldn't be surprising—Obama’s life as a biracial man has deep ties to the gay experience.
Countries Where Gay Marriage Is Legal: Netherlands, Argentina & More
Obama threw his personal support behind same-sex marriage on Wednesday, but 30 U.S. states still ban it. From Canada to Portugal, The Daily Beast finds 10 nations that allow gay couples to legally tie the knot.
People celebrate on June 30, 2005 in Madrid after parliament approved gay marriage. (PEDRO ARMESTRE)
Obama’s comments in support of legalizing gay marriage may have created a small firestorm of political and cultural reactions in the United States on Wednesday, but same-sex unions have been legal for more than a decade in some nations.
There are 10 countries in which gay marriage is legal. The Parliament of The Netherlands, which passed a bill legalizing same sex marriage by a 3-to-1 margin in 2001, was the first national government body to pass national legislation. Since then, another nine countries have followed suit. As well, legislation is pending in some eight nations, including Finland and Australia, and civil unions or some form of gay parnerships are legal in more than 20 countries. See which countries are more proactive than the U.S.
The Netherlands
Year Legalized: 2001
Belgium
Year Legalized: 2003
Spain
Year Legalized: 2005
Canada
Year Legalized: 2005
South Africa
Year Legalized: 2006
Norway
Year Legalized: 2009
Sweden
Year Legalized: 2009
Portugal
Year Legalized: 2010
Iceland
Year Legalized: 2010
Argentina
Year Legalized: 2010
Full Coverage
The Daily Beast Reports
Obama Comes Full Circle In Gay-Marriage Evolution
The president said in 1996 that he would support legalizing gay marriage, and 16 years later became the first Oval Office holder to do just that, writes Michelle Goldberg.
Interview Bombshell
How Obama Came Out for Marriage
ANTE UP
Obama’s High-Stakes Gamble
Half Step
Obama Plays It Safe on Marriage
Obama Endorses Gay Marriage
In a major policy shift Wednesday, President Obama told ABC News’s Robin Roberts that ‘same-sex couples should be able to get married.’ The move marked the first time a sitting president has thrown his support behind gay marriage and the end of Obama's self-described 'evolution' on the issue.
'Rite of Passage'
My Four Gay Marriages
As the debate over gay marriage rages, what marriages and weddings really mean. By David Jefferson.
Newsweek
Gay Marriage is Good for America
As same-sex couples march down the aisle in N.Y., Andrew Sullivan reflects on his own pursuit of happiness.
Coming Out
Where Gay Marriage Is Legal
From Canada to Portugal, 10 countries that allow same-sex couples to legally tie the knot.
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