31 inspiring photos of same-sex weddings around the world

Advertisement
Frank OlitoMay 9, 2020, 03:20 IST
31 inspiring photos of same-sex weddings around the world

Same-sex marriage began being legalized in the early 2000s.MLADEN ANTONOV/ Getty

While same-sex marriage is still relatively new across the US, there are some countries around the world where it's been recognized for years.

The Netherlands, Canada, South Africa, and Spain started the movement in the early 2000s, with many countries following suit. Most recently, same-sex marriage became legal in Northern Ireland.

Keep reading to take a look at how same-sex couples have been saying "I do" around the world.

Read the original article on Insider
Advertisement

After decades of fighting for equal rights, countries all over the world are celebrating and embracing the power of diversity, love, and, most importantly, the LGBTQ community.

After decades of fighting for equal rights, countries all over the world are celebrating and embracing the power of diversity, love, and, most importantly, the LGBTQ community.
Couple kisses after their wedding. Amanda Perobelli/ Reuters

The acceptance doesn't seem to be slowing down anytime soon.

Sadly, many countries still put constraints on same-sex marriage. Italy is one of them.

Sadly, many countries still put constraints on same-sex marriage. Italy is one of them.
Family celebrating same-sex wedding in Italy. FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/ Getty

The Catholic nation legalized civil unions (not marriage) in 2016. The Vatican, specifically, opposed the legalization of same-sex marriage in Italy for religious reasons.

Advertisement

In 2019, Northern Ireland passed a bill that allowed same-sex marriage, and the following year the first couple tied the knot.

In 2019, Northern Ireland passed a bill that allowed same-sex marriage, and the following year the first couple tied the knot.
Robyn Peoples and Sharni Edwards. Phil Noble/ Reuters

In February 2020, Robyn Peoples and Sharni Edwards became the first same-sex couple to say "I do" in Northern Ireland. The Belfast couple made history at the Loughshore hotel.

"We didn't expect to be the first couple, it's coincidental," Edwards told The Guardian. "Today is our six-year anniversary so we wanted to go ahead with a civil partnership but when the bill was passed it was perfect timing and it was a complete coincidence, a happy coincidence. We couldn't be more grateful."

But many same-sex couples in Asia are still tirelessly and heroically fighting for their rights.

But many same-sex couples in Asia are still tirelessly and heroically fighting for their rights.
A couple celebrates at a pride parade in Japan. NurPhoto/ Getty

But there are signs of progress. In a rare move that signified a small step forward, China's National People's Congress acknowledged petitions to legalize same-sex marriage, NBC reported in January 2020.

Advertisement

In 2019, Taiwan became the first place in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage.

In 2019, Taiwan became the first place in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage.
LGBT couple at their civil union ceremony in China. STR/ Getty

In 2017, the island's high court made marriage discrimination illegal and said Taiwan had two years to change the law. Ahead of the deadline, in May 2019, the parliament legalized same-sex marriage.

Although same-sex marriage isn't legal throughout Mexico, in some parts it is.

Although same-sex marriage isn't legal throughout Mexico, in some parts it is.
Couple wed in Acapulco, Mexico, in 2015. Pedro Pardo/ Getty

Places like Chihuahua, Quintana Roo, and Mexico City in Mexico all allow for powerful moments like this.

Advertisement

For years, LGBTQ Australians would flock to New Zealand to wed because it was illegal in their country.

For years, LGBTQ Australians would flock to New Zealand to wed because it was illegal in their country.
Couple on their wedding day in New Zealand. Phil Walter/ Getty

Over 400 LGBTQ New Zealanders and over 400 LGBTQ travelers wed in New Zealand in 2016.

Same-sex marriage was legalized in Australia in 2017.

Gay marriage was legalized in Malta in 2017.

Gay marriage was legalized in Malta in 2017.
Cutting the wedding cake at a same-sex wedding in Malta. Matthew Mirabelli/ Getty

Although Malta is largely a Catholic nation, it has made strides towards becoming a more liberal state in recent years. The country has become one of the friendliest and welcoming in Europe for LGBTQ people.

Advertisement

Just like traditional weddings, same-sex ceremonies in Germany — and all over the world — are filled with laughter, happy tears, and moving expressions of love.

Just like traditional weddings, same-sex ceremonies in Germany — and all over the world — are filled with laughter, happy tears, and moving expressions of love.
Volker Beck and Adrian Petkov wed in Berlin. Picture Alliance/ Getty

Same-sex weddings are a reminder that we are all equal.

The new law in Germany granted equal rights to same-sex couples and enabled inspiring weddings to take place around the country.

The new law in Germany granted equal rights to same-sex couples and enabled inspiring weddings to take place around the country.
Couple at their wedding ceremony in Germany. Picture Alliance/ Getty

Since 2001, same-sex couples were able to enter into civil unions, but they were not granted the same rights and protections as traditional marriages. This new law changed everything for Germans who identify as LGBTQ.

Advertisement

Germany legalized gay marriage in 2017.

Germany legalized gay marriage in 2017.
Guardsmen celebrate a newly married couple in Germany. Picture Alliance/ Getty

"This is an emotional moment with great symbolism," Karl Kreile, one of the first to wed under the new law, told The New York Times. "The transition to the term 'marriage' shows that the German state recognizes us as real equals."

The US learned through numerous moving ceremonies that marriage is a right, not a privilege.

The US learned through numerous moving ceremonies that marriage is a right, not a privilege.
A wedding inside San Francisco's City Hall. AFP/ Getty

"LGBT Americans ... are full and equal citizens and deserve the rights of citizenship. That includes marriage," former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said in a video in 2013.

Advertisement

Now, same-sex marriage is a legal right in America, allowing for couples of all genders to celebrate their love.

Now, same-sex marriage is a legal right in America, allowing for couples of all genders to celebrate their love.
Couple weds with their dogs in 2013. Kevork Djansezian/ Getty

Same-sex marriage is on the rise in the US. In fact, one in every 10 LGBTQ people in the country is married.

This changed in 2015 when the Supreme Court made same-sex marriage legal across the United States.

This changed in 2015 when the Supreme Court made same-sex marriage legal across the United States.
Couple after getting married at the San Diego County Fair in 2013. Sandy Huffaker/ Getty

"It would misunderstand these men and women to say they disrespect the idea of marriage," the court said in its decision in Obergefell v. Hodges. "Their plea is that they do respect it, respect it so deeply that they seek to find its fulfillment for themselves. Their hope is not to be condemned to live in loneliness, excluded from one of civilization's oldest institutions. They ask for equal dignity in the eyes of the law. The Constitution grants them that right."

Advertisement

Same-sex marriage largely became a states' right issue.

Same-sex marriage largely became a states' right issue.
Couple getting married in 2013 in California. Kevork Djansezian/ Getty

The cause suffered a real blow in 1996 when President Bill Clinton signed the Defense of Marriage Act into law, which defined marriage as a union between two people of the opposite sex.

The road to legalizing same-sex marriage across the US has been a long and complicated one.

The road to legalizing same-sex marriage across the US has been a long and complicated one.
Couple getting married in 2015. Portland Press Herald/ Getty

In 1970, the first same-sex couple applied for a marriage license in Minnesota, but they were denied, starting a decades-long movement to legalize gay marriage in America.

Advertisement

Every same-sex wedding in the United Kingdom is a reminder of how powerful the LGBTQ community can be.

Every same-sex wedding in the United Kingdom is a reminder of how powerful the LGBTQ community can be.
Andrew Wale and Neil Allard moments after saying their vows in Brighton. Luke MacGregor/ Reuters

Andrew Wale and Neil Allard were the first same-sex couple to say "I do" in Brighton.

"Same-sex marriage is not about breaking up families," Wale told The Telegraph."There are all sorts of families in the world and for us this is just about creating a different type of family."

The first same-sex wedding ceremonies in Scotland took place on December 21, 2014.

The first same-sex wedding ceremonies in Scotland took place on December 21, 2014.
Couple celebrates their marriage in Scotland in 2014. Mark Runnacles/ Getty

Since civil unions were legal in the country for several years, the new act allowed couples already in civil partnerships to officially wed.

Advertisement

The Marriage and Civil Partnership Act in 2014 made same-sex marriage legal in Scotland.

The Marriage and Civil Partnership Act in 2014 made same-sex marriage legal in Scotland.
Couple celebrates their marriage in Scotland in 2014. Christopher Furlong/ Getty

"Today is both a day of celebration and a hugely important step forward for LGBTI rights in Scotland, both in terms of equality in the law and the way in which same-sex relationships are viewed in society," Tom French of the Equality Network in Scotland told the BBC. "In recent years, Scotland has become a leading light on LGBTI equality, with one of the most progressive equal marriage laws in the world, helping to create the fair and equal society we all want to see."

The "I" in LGBTI stands for intersex. According to Merriam Webster, intersexuality is the condition "of either having both male and female gonadal tissue in one individual or of having the gonads of one sex and external genitalia that is of the other sex or is ambiguous."

England and Wales legalized same-sex marriage in 2013.

England and Wales legalized same-sex marriage in 2013.
A same-sex couple gets married in Suffolk, United Kingdom. Gary John Norman/Getty

In July 2013, Queen Elizabeth II gave her royal ascent to a bill that would legalize same-sex marriage in England and Wales. According to the BBC, the Conservative, Labour, and Liberal Democrat leaderships had all supported the proposal.

Advertisement

Despite President Bolsonaro's threat, the LGBTQ community is still marrying and proving that love trumps hate.

Despite President Bolsonaro's threat, the LGBTQ community is still marrying and proving that love trumps hate.
Couples say their vows in Brazil. Nacho Doce/ Reuters

"We're going to resist," Victor Silva Paredes told The New York Times before walking down the aisle. "We fought for these rights and we're not going back into the closet."

The election of Brazil's new president in 2018 put same-sex marriage in jeopardy, however.

The election of Brazil's new president in 2018 put same-sex marriage in jeopardy, however.
Couple weds in Brazil. Mario Tama/ Getty

"We got scared," Carolina Zannata told The New York Times. "We need to take advantage of our hard-won rights because we might not have them afterward."

Advertisement

In 2013, the National Justice Council of Brazil said the government cannot deny marriage licenses to same-sex couples, paving the way for gay marriage.

In 2013, the National Justice Council of Brazil said the government cannot deny marriage licenses to same-sex couples, paving the way for gay marriage.
Couple weds in an emotional ceremony in Brazil. YASUYOSHI CHIBA/ Getty

"This will reduce legal procedures and ensures more equality to Brazilian citizens. Before this, there were first and second class citizens. Now all families will be respected," Marjori Machi, president of the Rio de Janeiro Association of Transvestite and Transsexual People, told The Telegraph.

In 2013, the New Zealand parliament passed the Marriage Amendment Bill, which made gay marriage legal across the nation.

In 2013, the New Zealand parliament passed the Marriage Amendment Bill, which made gay marriage legal across the nation.
First gay couple to marry in New Zealand. Hagen Hopkins/ Getty

"We have been together for 11 years and the fact that we'll be the first to make a lifelong pledge to each other in somewhere as beautiful as New Zealand is both historically significant and an important step in our personal lives," Paul McCarthy, one of the first to marry in New Zealand, told The Sydney Morning Herald.

Advertisement

Ten years later, South Africa had its first traditional same-sex wedding.

Ten years later, South Africa had its first traditional same-sex wedding.
Tshepo Modisane and Thobajobe Sithole at their wedding in South Africa in 2016. Daily Sun/ Getty

Tshepo Cameron Modisane and Thoba Calvin Sithol were the first traditional men in South Africa to say "I do." Their ceremony married Zulu and Tswana traditions, according to the Huffington Post.

"The great step that we took in our relationship as a gay couple was introducing each other to our families," Modisane told Mamba Online . "We are so blessed to have supportive families who care about us. Even though we are gay they still love us."

In 2006, South Africa became the first African country to legalize gay marriage.

In 2006, South Africa became the first African country to legalize gay marriage.
Couple weds in South Africa in 2006. Gallo Images/ Getty

Sadly, in 2011, GlobalPost named South Africa one of the worst countries in which to identify as LGBTQ, citing its high rates of murder and rape.

Advertisement

As same-sex marriage spread throughout Europe, couples were able to express their love in public ceremonies.

As same-sex marriage spread throughout Europe, couples were able to express their love in public ceremonies.
Couple weds in Spain. Reuters

This lucky couple was the first to say "I do" in a northern part of Spain known as Asturias.

In 2018, Spain — a predominantly Catholic country — held its first same-sex wedding in a church, specifically.

In 2018, Spain — a predominantly Catholic country — held its first same-sex wedding in a church, specifically.
First female couple to wed in Spain. MANU FERNANDEZ/ AP

"It's a question of love, not a question of gender," vicar Gunnar Sjöberg told The Local."It's a happy day when I can spread more love in the world."

Advertisement

In 2005, Spain legalized gay marriage.

In 2005, Spain legalized gay marriage.
Couple at their wedding in Spain. Sergio Perez/ Reuters

The Spanish parliament passed a bill allowing same-sex marriage and giving same-sex couples the right to adopt.

"Spain is talking about total equality," Kursad Kahramanoglu, then-co-secretary general of the International Lesbian and Gay Association, told The New York Times in 2005. "Lots of people 15 or 20 years ago would have thought it would be impossible for Catholic Spain to get to this moment."

In January 2003, Belgium followed suit, legalizing marriage for same-sex couples.

In January 2003, Belgium followed suit, legalizing marriage for same-sex couples.
Marion Huibrecht and Christel Verswyvelen leave a civil ceremony after getting married in June 2003 in Antwerp, Belgium. Mark Renders/Getty Images

The Belgian government had already begun giving same-sex couples some legal rights in 1998, but gave them the same tax and inheritance rights as opposite-sex couples in the 2003 ruling, according to the Pew Research Center. In 2006, the Belgian government also enabled same-sex couples to adopt children.

Advertisement

In the year 2000, the Netherlands became the first country to legalize same-sex marriage.

In the year 2000, the Netherlands became the first country to legalize same-sex marriage.
Patrick Decker and Dutchman Stephen Hengst during their wedding ceremony on a boat at the Gay Pride canal parade in Amsterdam, Netherlands, in August 2009. Bas Czerwinski/AP Photo

The new law allowed same-sex couples to get married, get divorced, and adopt children. According to the Pew Research Center, just one sentence was changed in the country's marriage law, now stating, "A marriage can be contracted by two people of different or the same sex."

Next Story14 photos of uplifting street art spreading hope ...
Advertisement
Popular on BI
Latest Stories
View All Latest
Trending News
Buying Guides
Advertisement
Popular Categories
Trending Right Now

Copyright © 2024. Times Internet Limited. All rights reserved.For reprint rights. Times Syndication Service.