Freedom to Marry

Now more than ever, it's time for same-sex couples in Ukraine to be afforded basic, fundamental protections they need to be able to care for their families. 🇺🇦

Same-sex couples fight for civil unions to be legalised in Ukraine Russia’s invasion prompted the LGBTQ+ community to urgently discuss their lack of legal rights

Congratulations to the same-sex couples in Estonia who – as of Jan 1st – can officially share in the freedom to marry! 🇪🇪

Same-sex couples able to marry in Estonia from New Year’s Day Registrations open after country became first former Soviet-ruled nation to legalise gay marriage

"Evan Wolfson, a civil rights lawyer and founder and president of non-profit Freedom to Marry, flew from the United States to Thailand in early December to help activists campaign to push the legislation forward. 'The Thailand government should know that the eyes of the world are on them with expectation and hope they are going to finish the job, do the right thing, and help Asia move forward,' he said, adding that there would also be economic advantages through increased tourism and business."

It's time for the Freedom to Marry in . 🇹🇭

Same-sex marriage bill gives Thai LGBTQ+ couples hope for change With a bill to legalise same-sex marriage expected to return to the Thai parliament this month, gay couples are beginning to hope

🇳🇵 Congratulations to Maya and Surenda – the first LGBTQ couple to register their marriage in Nepal. A historic moment for the marriage movement in Asia!

Gay couple in Nepal becomes the 1st to officially register same-sex marriage in the country A gay couple in Nepal on Wednesday became the first in the nation to receive official same-sex marriage status.

As we mark 20 years since the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruling granting same-sex couples – and confront the significant challenge of a new wave of anti-LGBTQ+ laws that especially, outrageously target transgender youth – Mary Bonauto, lead counsel in the 'Goodridge' case, brought by GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders - GLAD, reflects on the anniversary in The Advocate.

"In these 20 years since that momentous court ruling heard round the world," Bonauto writes, "I’ve learned that no matter the outcome in a particular case or legislative effort, what keeps us moving forward is staying engaged, standing up for our commitment to a world where equality, freedom, and belonging are real for everyone, and holding onto the belief that we can make that world a reality." Read her reflection: https://bit.ly/3sI7fnO

Today, November 18, marks the 20th anniversary of the landmark court ruling in Massachusetts that required the freedom to marry for same-sex couples for the first time.

Don't miss this new commentary in USA TODAY from Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen of the National Center for Transgender Equality and Marc Solomon, a leader in the Massachusetts fight who went on to serve at Freedom to Marry, about the parallels between the marriage fight and the movement for transgender equality.

"Winning is neither impossible nor inevitable," Rodrigo and Marc write. "We must push through this painful period, remember the victories that we’ve been racking up and keep our heads up, forever staying focused on our goals of freedom and equality for all." Read the full piece: https://bit.ly/46oKKBU

The momentum building for the freedom to marry in Hong Kong is real.

Today, a Hong Kong court upheld inheritance protections for same-sex couples – ruling in favor of Henry Li and his late husband Edgar Ng.

This is the third ruling in favor of same-sex couples in Hong Kong since September! Hong Kong's highest court has mandated the city's government to create a legal framework within 2 years or sooner to ensure same-sex couples are afforded protection and respect.

Hong Kong court sides with same-sex couple over inheritance rights As Hong Kong comes under Beijing’s increasing control and protest is banned, the courts are one of the last avenues citizens have to push for change in the city.

🙌 Momentum for the freedom to marry in Hong Kong!

On Tuesday, Hong Kong's Court of Appeals ruled that same-sex couples should have equal access to public housing.

This landmark ruling comes just one month after the city's highest court ruled that the government must create a legal framework to ensure same-sex couples are afforded protection and respect.

With polls showing that 60% of Hong Kongers support marriage for same-sex couples – it's becoming clear that Hong Kong is ready for the freedom to marry!

Hong Kong court rules that gay couples get equal housing rights A Hong Kong court on Tuesday dismissed a government bid to deny same-sex married couples the right to rent and own public housing saying that it was "discriminatory in nature" and a complete denial of such couples' rights.

🤞🇮🇳 Fingers crossed for a historic victory in India this week, where the Supreme Court is set to decide on marriage cases as soon as tomorrow (Tuesday).

It's time for the freedom to marry in India!

India's top court is set to rule on same-sex marriage. Here's what that could mean for millions of people | CNN In a landmark case watched by tens of thousands every day, India’s Supreme Court has been hearing submissions from activists challenging the same-sex marriage law.

In a historic, landmark victory for human rights in Africa, the Supreme Court of Mauritius ruled today to strike down the country's colonial-era, anti-gay law.

Congratulations, Mauritius on this enormous step forward! 🏳️‍🌈 🇲🇺

Huge victory for LGBTIQ+ rights in Mauritius - MambaOnline - Gay South Africa online In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court of Mauritius has declared the country's ban on same-sex intimacy un-African and unconstitutional.

"The obvious answer to the task imposed on the government is to embrace marriage equality... Only marriage equality can provide full security, clarity and dignity to same-sex couples."

It's time for the freedom to marry in Hong Kong! 🇭🇰

Marriage equality is clearly the best choice for Hong Kong Readers discuss why the city must recognise same-sex marriage, how this would send the right message about Hong Kong to the world, and shrinking student numbers in schools.

⬆️ Support for legally protecting same-sex couples is surging in Panama! 🏳️‍🌈

7 out of 10 Panamanians agree that the government should be protecting same-sex couples and their families. 🇵🇦

(More from the new polling released this week in Panama this week below) ⤵️

Thanks to the business community in Czechia for doing the right thing!

Yesterday, 66 major companies – including Vodafone, Skoda, Microsoft and IBM – sent an open letter to Prime Minister
calling on the government to introduce and pass legislation extending marriage to same-sex couples – without delay.

It's time for the freedom to marry in Czechia! 🇨🇿

A monumental ruling for Bulgaria! The European Court of Human Rights rules unanimously to order the Bulgarian government to legally protect and respect same-sex couples. 🇧🇬

Bulgaria Must Acknowledge Same-Sex Relationships, Says ECHR ECHR persuaded Bulgaria to recognise same-sex relationships even if it's not in favour of same-sex marriage.

"Hong Kong’s top court ruled on Tuesday that the city’s government must establish a framework to legally recognize same-sex partnerships... The ruling underscores how Asia’s conservative landscape is evolving when it comes to gay rights."

Hong Kong Must Have Framework to Recognize Same-Sex Unions, Court Rules The ruling by the city’s Court of Final Appeal stops short of recognizing same-sex marriage, but some experts see the outcome as a small step forward.

A major victory today in Hong Kong – where the city's highest court has ordered the government to create legal recognition for same-sex couples.

Hong Kong's top court tells government to create 'legal recognition' for same-sex partnerships | CNN Hong Kong’s top court has ordered the city’s government to set up a new framework to legally recognize the rights of same-sex couples in a partial victory for LGBTQ activists that stopped short of their demands for full marriage equality.

On Friday, a Peruvian high court ruled in favor of the freedom to marry – ordering the records office to register the marriage of a le***an couple who married abroad.

It's time for the freedom to marry in Peru! 🇵🇪

Peruvian court opens door to legally recognize same-sex couples Peru is one of the few countries in Latin America that has not recognized same-sex marriage, though it is not illegal to be gay.

Last week's historic ruling in Nepal is now the third clear decision from the Supreme Court affirming the freedom to marry. And as couples prepare to register their marriages in the coming weeks, we're hopeful that Nepal will soon be country #36 to finally secure marriage for all. 🇳🇵

Activists hail Nepal ruling allowing same-sex marriage Same-sex couples in Nepal said on Friday they were preparing to register their marriages after the Supreme Court issued a temporary order clearing the way for gay marriage for the first time in the largely conservative country.

Greece's Prime Minister says he plans to pass the freedom to marry – explaining that "Greek society is much more ready and mature.” 🇬🇷

It's time for the freedom to marry in Greece!

Greece's Prime Minister Plans to Legalize Same-Sex Marriage It's a huge step forward for LGBTQ rights in a region where some conservative governments are cracking down on the community.

Following the Civil Rights Act of 1964, some opponents -- including even a barbecue joint -- tried to persuade the Supreme Court to grant them special licenses to discriminate in defiance of the law. The Court then said no. Sadly, today's Trump-packed Court allowed a carve-out that will injure and insult too many until it is fixed. The cure is political engagement and structural reform. This decision will not stand.

Supreme Court limits LGBTQ protections in dispute over services for same-sex weddings The high court ruled that a Christian web designer has a right to offer design services for opposite-sex weddings while refusing those services for same-sex weddings.

Cheering on this huge step forward in Czechia today – where lawmakers gave initial approval to freedom to marry legislation! 🇨🇿

A strong majority of the Czech public supports marriage for all. Lawmakers should get the job done and pass this bill now!

Czech lawmakers give first nod to same-sex marriage bill, opposition ahead The Czech parliament's lower house gave initial approval on Thursday to a bill to allow same-sex marriages, though conservative lawmakers signalled it could still face opposition and possible changes in further debates.

The Nepal Supreme Court – once again – calling on the government to stop discriminating and allow same-sex couples to marry.

It's time for the freedom to marry in Nepal! https://bit.ly/3NP4BV0 🇳🇵

Supreme Court issues interim order to register same-sex marriage The Supreme Court has issued an interim order directing the government to register temporary marriages of same-sex couples.

✅ Signed and delivered!

Today, Estonia's president officially signed legislation into law extending the freedom to marry to same-sex couples – the first ex-Soviet country to end marriage discrimination. 🇪🇪

Estonian President Ratifies Same-Sex Marriage and Tax Laws Estonian President Alar Karis said he ratified the country’s same-sex marriage law as well as several controversial tax hikes while also criticizing the government for the methods used to pass the bills.

With this week's victory in Estonia 🇪🇪, 35 countries worldwide have now secured the freedom to marry for same-sex couples across all 7 continents – representing nearly 17% of the global population! 🌎

See the updated map here, tracking the landscape for the freedom to marry around the world: https://bit.ly/3JrrZFx

Congratulations to Estonia, which today became the 35th country worldwide – and the first former Soviet country + first in the Baltics – to secure the freedom to marry for same-sex couples! 🇪🇪 https://bit.ly/449HycJ

Love wins in Estonia – where lawmakers today passed legislation making the country the 35th in the world, and the 1st in the Baltics, to secure the freedom to marry for same-sex couples! 🇪🇪

Estonia votes to legalise same-sex marriage Prime Minister Kaja Kallas says the new legislation will take effect next year.

It's time for love to win in Estonia! 🇪🇪

Estonia set to become first Baltic country to legalise same-sex marriage Lauri Hussar, the newly elected president of Estonia, has suggested a change in law could be introduced within weeks.

Another step forward in Japan, where a court ruled today that the denial of marriage to same-sex couples is in a "state of unconstitutionality."

This is now the fourth court in Japan to rule in favor of same-sex couples who are seeking the freedom to marry! 🇯🇵

Fukuoka court rules same-sex marriage ban is in ‘state of unconstitutionality’ The ruling was the fifth among six lawsuits filed to date nationwide. Decisions have been split over the question of the ban’s constitutionality.