Here's The Current List of Countries That Recognize Marriage Equality

Twenty years ago, LGBTQ+ couples hoping to wed had few places to do so where the marriage would carry the weight of legal recognition. But queer couples planning their nuptuals today now find a growing list of countries that recognize marriage equality.

The first country to legally recognize marriage equality at the national level was The Netherlands in 2001. Since then, dozens more have joined in acknowledging this basic human right exists for all humanity. Recently both Japan and Chile have moved closer to officially accepting marriage equality.

Whether you are planning to get married or celebrating a honeymoon abroad, looking for countries that will recognize your existing marriage, or just want to direct your tourism to affirming and progressive countries, you'll appreciate this new resource from the IGLTA. The International LGBTQ+ Travel Association has released its list of 29 countries which recognize marriage equality in some form.

North America had a perfect score of three-for-three, with the United States, Canada, and Mexico all legally recognizing some form of marriage equality. At the other end of the spectrum in Asia and the African continent, only Taiwan and South Africa recognize marriage equality. Here are the 29 countries identified by the IGLTA as recognizing marriage equality either nationwide or in some jurisdictions.

Learn more about these countries and same sex marriage abroad here.

United Kingdom

Luxembourg

Brazil

Ireland

Australia

Spain

Germany

Canada

Malta

Belgium

Denmark

Costa Rica

France

Finland

Mexico

Austria

South Africa

Iceland

The Netherlands

The United States of America

Uruguay

Argentina

Colombia

Ecuador

Greenland

New Zealand

Norway

Sweden

Taiwan