While the world celebrates the legalisation of same-sex marriage in the United States, this also speaks of the American hegemony. I don’t mean to be critical of this landmark judgment but what really makes it a ‘landmark’ one in the global arena is the ability the superpower has of shaping the world’s thought process to a significant extent.
Here are a few other countries with the most liberal and progressive attitudes in terms of societal acceptance and laws concerning the gender/sexual minority-
ICELAND
Iceland not only has a very progressive approach towards issues concerning the gender/sexual minority with same-sex sexual activity being legalised in 1940, it also had the pleasure of being governed by the first openly gay Prime Minister, Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir. In 2006, Iceland granted same-sex couples equal rights with their heterosexual counterparts. The fact that 10% of the nation’s population turn up for their Pride Walk speaks volumes of the level of acceptance.
CANADA
Canada has progressed by leaps and bounds in the field of gender/sexual minority rights. Same-sex sexual activity has been legal in Canada since 1969 and the nation has sound laws concerning gender identity and expression. Canada has a strong constitutional framework, enforcement mechanisms and laws providing for protection from discrimination in employment, housing, public services and educational institutions, in terms of sexual orientation. Since 2003, same-sex marriage and adoption have been legal and there has been a ban on anti-gay propaganda.
IRELAND
Ireland arguably has the most liberal attitude towards the gender/sexual minority in the present day. Irish legislation decriminalised homosexuality in 1993, outlawed discrimination based on sexual orientation and prohibits incitement to hatred based on sexuality. This year, Ireland became the first country to legalise same-sex marriage by popular vote. The transgender community has better visibility with provisions for self-declaring gender on passports and driving licenses and obtaining new birth certificates. Ireland has also produced some of the greatest gay writers in the English speaking world, like Oscar Wilde and Elizabeth Bowen.
NEW ZEALAND
In New Zealand, citizens have equal rights regardless of sexual orientation. New Zealand is one of the most inclusive and progressive countries in this regard with same-sex sexual activity never being criminalised for females and decriminalised for males since 1986. The law of the land recognised same-sex marriage in 2013 and provides for protection against discrimination based on gender/sexual identity and expression besides recognizing adoption by same-sex couples. New Zealand is also known for its 1988 initiative to offer gender/sexual minority-friendly tourism, now being adopted by many other countries.
NETHERLANDS
In 2001, Netherlands became the first nation to legalise same-sex marriage and surveys suggest that 85-90% of the population supports same-sex marriage and adoption. Same-sex sexual activity in the Netherlands has been legal ever since 1811. The Netherlands also provides sound laws with regard to adoption by same-sex couples also allowing them to adopt children overseas. Amsterdam’s Pride Week is world famous and attracts over 500000 people!
BELGIUM
Belgium, the second country to legalise same-sex marriage (2003), is in this regard, one of the most progressive countries in Europe. Same-sex sexual activity has been legal since 1795. The law provides against discrimination and hate crimes based on sexuality. Belgians have a liberal, progressive and accepting outlook evident in attempts being made by them for ensuring equal rights irrespective of sexuality to everyone across the European Union. Belgium also has hospitals most renowned for sex reassignment surgeries. Brussels is also known for being one of the hottest travel destinations for the ‘queer’ community, with a slew of ‘queer’-friendly bars and clubs.
SPAIN
Spain is quite well-known for the accepting attitude of its society towards the gender/sexual minority. Spain has experienced numerous changes in terms of laws, politics and societal approach concerning this isuue. Same-sex sexual activity has been legal since 1979 and same-sex marriage and adoption since 2005. Spanish legislation also allows transgender persons to register under their preferred sex in public documents and allows children born from in vitro fertilisation to a female same-sex couple to be legally recognised by the non-biological mother. Spain also boasts of being one of the most welcoming tourist destinations with ‘queer’-friendly beaches and all hotels being non-discriminating.
Here are a few other countries with the most liberal and progressive attitudes in terms of societal acceptance and laws concerning the gender/sexual minority-
ICELAND
Iceland not only has a very progressive approach towards issues concerning the gender/sexual minority with same-sex sexual activity being legalised in 1940, it also had the pleasure of being governed by the first openly gay Prime Minister, Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir. In 2006, Iceland granted same-sex couples equal rights with their heterosexual counterparts. The fact that 10% of the nation’s population turn up for their Pride Walk speaks volumes of the level of acceptance.
CANADA
Canada has progressed by leaps and bounds in the field of gender/sexual minority rights. Same-sex sexual activity has been legal in Canada since 1969 and the nation has sound laws concerning gender identity and expression. Canada has a strong constitutional framework, enforcement mechanisms and laws providing for protection from discrimination in employment, housing, public services and educational institutions, in terms of sexual orientation. Since 2003, same-sex marriage and adoption have been legal and there has been a ban on anti-gay propaganda.
IRELAND
Ireland arguably has the most liberal attitude towards the gender/sexual minority in the present day. Irish legislation decriminalised homosexuality in 1993, outlawed discrimination based on sexual orientation and prohibits incitement to hatred based on sexuality. This year, Ireland became the first country to legalise same-sex marriage by popular vote. The transgender community has better visibility with provisions for self-declaring gender on passports and driving licenses and obtaining new birth certificates. Ireland has also produced some of the greatest gay writers in the English speaking world, like Oscar Wilde and Elizabeth Bowen.
NEW ZEALAND
In New Zealand, citizens have equal rights regardless of sexual orientation. New Zealand is one of the most inclusive and progressive countries in this regard with same-sex sexual activity never being criminalised for females and decriminalised for males since 1986. The law of the land recognised same-sex marriage in 2013 and provides for protection against discrimination based on gender/sexual identity and expression besides recognizing adoption by same-sex couples. New Zealand is also known for its 1988 initiative to offer gender/sexual minority-friendly tourism, now being adopted by many other countries.
NETHERLANDS
In 2001, Netherlands became the first nation to legalise same-sex marriage and surveys suggest that 85-90% of the population supports same-sex marriage and adoption. Same-sex sexual activity in the Netherlands has been legal ever since 1811. The Netherlands also provides sound laws with regard to adoption by same-sex couples also allowing them to adopt children overseas. Amsterdam’s Pride Week is world famous and attracts over 500000 people!
BELGIUM
Belgium, the second country to legalise same-sex marriage (2003), is in this regard, one of the most progressive countries in Europe. Same-sex sexual activity has been legal since 1795. The law provides against discrimination and hate crimes based on sexuality. Belgians have a liberal, progressive and accepting outlook evident in attempts being made by them for ensuring equal rights irrespective of sexuality to everyone across the European Union. Belgium also has hospitals most renowned for sex reassignment surgeries. Brussels is also known for being one of the hottest travel destinations for the ‘queer’ community, with a slew of ‘queer’-friendly bars and clubs.
SPAIN
Spain is quite well-known for the accepting attitude of its society towards the gender/sexual minority. Spain has experienced numerous changes in terms of laws, politics and societal approach concerning this isuue. Same-sex sexual activity has been legal since 1979 and same-sex marriage and adoption since 2005. Spanish legislation also allows transgender persons to register under their preferred sex in public documents and allows children born from in vitro fertilisation to a female same-sex couple to be legally recognised by the non-biological mother. Spain also boasts of being one of the most welcoming tourist destinations with ‘queer’-friendly beaches and all hotels being non-discriminating.