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DOMA and Prop. 8 struck down: Gay marriage laws around the globe

There is no national gay marriage legislation in the pipeline in the US, however, numerous countries around the globe already recognize same-sex marriage or the right to civil unions. Here’s the breakdown by region.

2. Africa and the Middle East

  • By Whitney Eulich Staff Writer

Homosexuality is highly stigmatized in Africa and the Middle East, with many countries outlawing homosexual activity. 

South Africa is thus somewhat of an outlier in the region, granting legal rights to gay couples to marry. The country recognizes gay rights in its 1996 post-apartheid constitution, and as of 2005 South Africa has deemed it unconstitutional to exclude same-sex couples from marriage and the rights that accompany those unions. Adoption is legal for same-sex couples in South Africa as well. 

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