Germany becomes only the twenty-third nation to legalize marriage equality

NEW YORK – Sarah Kate Ellis, President and CEO of GLAAD – the world’s largest LGBTQ media advocacy organization, released the following statement after the German Parliament today passed historic legislation which grants marital rights to LGBTQ couples, including the right to jointly adopt children. With over 83 percent of Germans supporting marriage equality prior to this vote, Germany is now only the twenty-third country across the globe which allows the right for LGBTQ couples to legally get married. The vote in the German Bundesrat was 393 to 226 in favor of marriage equality. The measure will move to German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier for his signature.

"Love prevails once again as LGBTQ couples in Germany obtain the right to marry the person they love and build lasting, loving families in their communities. As the world faces a resurgence of anti-LGBTQ activism, victories like we see in Germany highlight the importance of LGBTQ people staying visible."

BACKGROUND INFORMATION: COUNTRIES ACROSS THE GLOBE THAT HAVE LEGALIZED MARRIAGE EQUALITY

• April 1, 2001 – The Netherlands
• June 1, 2003 – Belgium
• July 1, 2005 – Spain
• July 20, 2005 – Canada
• November 30, 2006 – South Africa
• January 1, 2009 – Norway
• May 1, 2009 – Sweden
• June 5, 2010 – Portugal
• June 27, 2010 – Iceland
• July 15, 2010 – Argentina
• June 15, 2012 – Denmark
• May 16, 2013 – Brazil
• May 18, 2013 – France
• August 5, 2013 – Uruguay
• August 19, 2013 – New Zealand
• March 13, 2014 – The United Kingdom (excluding Northern Ireland)
• January 1, 2015 – Luxembourg
• June 26, 2015 – The United States of America
• November 16, 2015 – Ireland
• April 1, 2016 – Greenland
• April 28, 2016 – Colombia
• March 1, 2017 – Finland
• June 30,2017 – Germany
  
  Pending – Taiwan: In March 2017 a court issued a ruling in favor of same-sex marriage; it is now in the hands of the legislators interpret the ruling and put the law into effect.

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