Australia recognizes same-sex couples for the purposes of immigration. Legislation in support of marriage for same-sex couples was introduced in the New South Wales State Parliament in 2005.

Belgium – On June 1, 2003, Belgium became the second country to allow same-sex couples to marry. Belgium also recognizes same-sex couples for the purposes of immigration. However, married same-sex couples in Belgium are not permitted to adopt nor are there any provisions in law for joint custody of children.

Brazil recognizes same-sex couples for the purposes of immigration. Civil unions for same-sex couples have been available in the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul since March 2004.

Canada – A bill granting full marriage equality to same-sex couples in Canada became law on July 20, 2005. Marriage licenses are now available to same-sex couples nationwide. Since marriage laws in Canada do not have residency requirements, same-sex couples who travel from the United States to Canada could also get married there.

Croatia grants rights and domestic partner protections that are more limited than marriage.

Denmark began registering couples in 1989. Denmark grants rights and domestic partner protections that are more limited than marriage and recognizes same-sex couples for the purposes of immigration.

Finland began registering couples in 2002. A registered partnership grants rights and domestic partner protections that are more limited than marriage. Partners do not have the right to adopt each other’s children.

France – Registered same-sex (and opposite-sex) couples can be joined in a civil “solidarity pact” that grants them the right to file joint tax returns, extend their social security coverage to each other and receive the same health, employment and welfare benefits as legal spouses. It also commits the couple to assume joint responsibility for household debts.

Germany – Registered same-sex couples receive the same inheritance and insurance rights as married opposite-sex couples. Registered partners also assume the responsibility to support each other financially in times of need. But the law does not extend to same-sex couples the tax and welfare benefits married opposite-sex couples receive. It also fails to grant same-sex couples the right to adopt children. Germany also recognizes same-sex couples for the purposes of immigration.

Hungary – Same-sex couples are covered by the nation’s common-law marriage laws, which carry some of the same rights of marriage, such as inheritance rights.

Iceland began registering couples in 2000. A registered partnership grants rights and domestic partner protections that are more limited than marriage. Partners do not have the right to adopt each other’s biological children.

Israel grants rights and domestic partner protections that are more limited than marriage and recognizes same-sex couples for the purposes of immigration. The Attorney General stated that he would not appeal a district court’s November 2004 ruling that extended the common-law spousal rights and responsibilities of inheritance, taxation and property to same-sex couples.

The Netherlands in 2001 became the first country to extend marriage rights to same-sex couples. It gives such couples exactly the same rights as heterosexual couples, including in tax, inheritance and adoption rights. The law requires that at least one member of the couple be a Dutch national or live in the Netherlands.

New Zealand adopted civil union legislation in December 2004 that grants legal recognition to same-sex partnerships in the country. Effective April 2005, same-sex couples will have similar legal rights to married opposite-sex couples. However, the new law does not change the New Zealand Marriage Act, which still applies only to men and women.

Norway began registering couples in 1993. A registered partnership grants rights and domestic partner protections that are more limited than marriage.

Portugal recognizes civil unions between people who live together as a couple for more than two years, whether same-sex or opposite-sex. The law, which went into effect in 2001, gives couples certain rights especially in financial matters.

Slovenia passed legislation in 2004 giving limited recognition of same-sex couples. The law entitles partners to the same rights as a family member if their partner is hospitalized. However, it does not entitle them to inherit their partner’s property.

South Africa will grant same-sex couples the right to legally marry by the end of 2006. It also recognizes same-sex couples for the purposes of immigration. The Constitutional Court of South Africa ruled on Dec. 1, 2005, that denying marriage to same-sex couples violates that country’s constitution. The court gave the South African Parliament one year to bring the country’s laws into compliance with the ruling. The court also made it clear enacting only a civil unions law would not suffice.

Spain – Legislation legalizing same-sex marriages in Spain was approved by the Parliament on June 29, 2005. Under the law, gay and lesbian parents are also permitted to adopt children. The law went into effect on July 3, 2005.

Sweden began registering couples in 2003. A registered partnership grants rights and domestic partner protections that are more limited than marriage. Registered partners may adopt each other’s children. Some Swedish embassies are authorized to officiate at the registration of partnerships if one member of the couple is a Swedish citizen.

Switzerland grants rights and domestic partner protections that are more limited than marriage. On June 5, 2005 Swiss citizens voted in favor (58%) of establishing registered partnerships (Partnerschaftsgesetz). Under this law, same-sex couples will have the same rights as married couples in the areas of pensions, inheritance and tax. Foreign partners will have residency rights but same-sex couples will be unable to adopt or use fertility treatment to become parents.

United Kingdom – Same-sex couples can register as civil partners. Registered partners assume all of the rights and responsibilities of marriage. Some of these include parental responsibility for children of the relationship and the right to adopt a partner’s child or to petition to jointly adopt a non-related child. The United Kingdom recognizes same-sex couples for the purposes of immigration. The new civil partners law (expanded from the Civil Partnership Act 2004) went into effect in December 2005.