State of same-sex marriage around the world
Australia is one of the few developed nations which has yet to legalise same-sex marriage despite a Newspoll survey on Monday showing it is supported by 63 percent of Australians.
Australians will be asked their views on same-sex marriage in a non-compulsory non-binding ballot due to begin next month. If the population votes in favour of gay marriage, then a vote in parliament is expected later in the year.
Here are the facts about same-sex marriage around the world: Same-sex marriage is legal in 24 countries: Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Britain, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Uruguay, United States.
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In some of these countries, such as Mexico and Britain, marriage is only open to same-sex couples in some regions. Northern Ireland is the only part of the United Kingdom where same-sex marriage is not allowed.
The small island nation of Malta was the 24th country to legalise same-sex marriage in mid-July, two weeks after Germany approved a similar measure.
The first country to legalise same-sex marriage was the Netherlands in 2001.
In Africa, where homosexuality is a crime in many countries and can lead to imprisonment or the death penalty, South Africa alone has granted the same access to gay couples. Same-sex marriage legislation came into force there in 2006.
There are no countries in Asia that allow same-sex couples to marry, or enter civil unions of any kind. In May, Taiwan’s constitutional court ruled that same-sex couples have the right to legally marry, the first such ruling in Asia.
Almost one in three adults globally believe people of the same sex should be allowed to marry, a survey of almost 100,000 people in 65 countries showed in 2016.
Photo: Wikipedia
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