Special Issue "Marriage Equality Around the World"

Dear Colleagues,

Marriage equality is a 21st Century global phenomenon. The Netherlands led the legalization of marriage between same-gender couples in 2001, with 6 other countries following in that decade. Since 2010, 27 countries have followed suit. As of 2022, 34 countries have legalized marriage between same-gender couples. While the majority of countries with marriage equality are in Europe, several countries in North America and Latin America have passed marriage equality. Since 2020, we saw marriage equality reach Costa Rica, Switzerland, Chile, Slovenia, Cuba, and the last remaining states of Mexico, with Andorra upcoming in 2023. However, same-gender couples remain without legal rights to marry in over 150 countries, and this is particularly rare in Africa and Asia, with South Africa and Taiwan being the lone representatives from their regions. However, political debates rage on. In India, the Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case on legalizing same-gender marriage. In Thailand, there has been recent progress towards rights for same-gender couples. Nevertheless, there is concern in some locales, particularly in the United States, that federally recognized same-gender marriage could be challenged. Altogether, the landscape of marriage is globally changing and offers an important area of research. 

• paths to marriage equality or continuing resistance to marriage equality
• attitudes toward marriage equality and marriage laws
• marriage patterns and determinants of marriage for LGBTQ+ individuals
• LGBTQ+ marriage ceremonies and rituals—support or challenge to heteronormative ideals
• LGBTQ+ marital relationships and wellbeing
• Division of housework and childcare in same-gender relationships
• LGBTQ+ relationships in societies without marriage equality

Prof. Dr. Gayle Kaufman
Prof. Dr. D'Lane R. Compton
Guest Editors

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• marriage equality
• same-sex marriage
• LGBTQ+ families
• family policy