1. Gay Marriage Around the World By: Erin Nugen

2. Why isn’t Gay Marriage Legal? One of the reasons is based on religion. The Bible states that it is an abomination for a man to lie with another man and for a woman to lie with another woman. Another reason is that same-sex unions don’t add up to the legal definition of marriage therefore not allowing gay people to marry, but instead have “civil unions” and “registered partnerships”.

3. North America United States: As of January 6, 2014 gay marriage has been legalized in 17 states: CA, CT, DE, HI, IA, IL, MA, MD, ME, MN, NH, NJ, NM, NY, RI, VT, WA and Washington D.C. Which leaves 33 states with bans on gay marriage Became legal in Utah on Dec. 20, 2013 when a federal judge ruled that the state's gay marriage ban was unconstitutional. On Jan. 6, 2014 the US Supreme Court put a stay on the decision.

4. North America Oklahoma, Virginia, Kentucky, and Texas bans on gay marriage we’re all found unconstitutional but then stays were put on all decisions like Utah. Michigan’s status…

5. North America In July 2005, Canada became the fourth country in the world to legalize same-sex marriages. It wasn’t always like this though; In the 1960s, men engaging in homosexual activities found themselves subject to criminal charges and imprisonment. By 2000, Homosexuality had been decriminalized, and discrimination based on sexual orientation had been prohibited in immigration, employment, military service, pensions, and income tax.

6. North America Mexico: In Mexico City, same-sex marriage and adoption is legal. In Quintana Roo in 2011 Same-sex marriages became legal, but the Governor then annulled them in April 2012. In May 2012, Secretary of State reversed the annulments and allowed for future same-sex marriages to be performed in the state.

7. Europe Currently 23 of the 50 countries and 4 of the 6 dependent territories in Europe recognize some type of same-sex unions Ten European countries legally recognize same-sex marriage: Belgium, Denmark, France, Iceland, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the U.K (except for Northern Ireland) The Netherlands was the first country to legalize gay marriage in 2001.

8. Europe 12 other countries and 4 dependent territories only recognize a form of civil union or cohabitation between same-sex couples; registered partnership, civil solidarity pact, registered life partnership, stable union, civil partnership. First same-sex weddings in England and Wales began on March 29, 2014. This couple was one of the many that got married.

9. Asia No country in Asia currently performs same-sex marriages, nor recognizes it. Israel is the only country that recognizes same-sex marriages that we’re performed elsewhere.

10. Asia India: Same-sex marriages are not legal in India; not only that but neither is same-sex sexual activity. Homosexual intercourse was made a criminal offense under Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code. Punishment could be up to life in prison.

11. Africa South Africa is the only country in Africa where gay marriage is legal, since 2006. Also the first country in the world to safeguard sexual orientation as a human right in its constitution. Discrimination against same-sex couples is prohibited (as is all discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation)

12. Africa Uganda and Nigeria have launched campaigns to ban homosexuality and throw gays in jail. The goal of the new laws is to criminalize homosexuality and "cleanse" these two countries' societies of gay people.There is an anti-gay law that mandates 14- year prison terms for anyone in a same-sex union and 10 years for anyone who "promotes" homosexuality, including HIV/AIDS workers.

13. South America Gay marriage is legal in Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay in South America. July 2010, Argentina became the first country in Latin America to legalize same-sex marriage. The law also allows same-sex couples to adopt.

14. Australia Since 2004, the Marriage Act 1961 effectively banned same-sex marriage in Australia however the states and territories of New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory have civil partnerships or relationships that are available for all couples.

15. New Zealand Originally, civil unions, which impart all of the same rights and privileges as marriage, except for adoption, were allowed. The Marriage Amendment Bill that would legalize same-sex marriage was passed by Parliament and took effect on August 19, 2013.

16. Sources http://gaymarriage.procon.org http://gaymarriage.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID= 004857 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recognition_of_same- sex_unions_in_Europe http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Status_of_same-sex_marriage http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Same- sex_marriage_in_South_Africa http://theweek.com/article/index/258826/everything-you-need- to-know-about-africas-anti-gay-crackdown http://mapleleafweb.com/features/same-sex-marriage-canada