States and Countries That Allow Gay Marriage

Updated: June 15, 2009

A comprehensive guide to same-sex marriage (commonly referred to as gay marriage) laws by region. Click on the state or country below for information on same-sex marriage and civil partnerships. Gay marriage and civil partnership laws change often. This list will be updated accordingly and will soon include nations and regions that ban same-sex marriage:

North America:

• Canada
• Mexico



• United States:
  • North East
    • Connecticut
    • District of Columbia
    • New Hampshire
    • New Jersey
    • New York
    • Maine
    • Massachusetts
    • Vermont
  • Plains/Midwest
    • Iowa
  • North West
    • Oregon
    • Washington
  • South West
    • California
  Europe:
  • Belgium
  • Croatia
  • Denmark
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • Ireland
  • Luxembourg
  • Netherlands
  • New Zealand
  • Norway
  • Portugal
  • Spain
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • United Kingdom
  Africa:
  • South Africa