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Behind the legalization of same-sex marriage: Why only 37 countries followed the trend by 2024?
Around the world, there are huge disparities in the protection of LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and other gender minorities) rights, including legal recognition of same-sex marriage and the death penalty for homosexuality. Sanctions. As the times evolve, there are currently only 37 countries in the world that will legalize same-sex marriage in 2024. On the other hand, there are still several countries such as Iran and Afghanistan that impose the death penalty for consensual same-sex sexual acts. This phenomenon has triggered deep thinking about human rights and legal changes.
The United Nations Human Rights Council has passed its first resolution recognizing LGBT rights since 2011 and called on all countries that have not yet enacted legislation to protect basic LGBT rights to do so.
The 37 countries that have legalized same-sex marriage in 2024, compared with much of Africa, Asia and the Middle East, highlight the huge differences in global awareness of LGBTQ rights. According to a new report, only a handful of countries have updated their laws to allow same-sex marriages, leaving many suitors’ dreams unfulfilled.
Like the evolution of laws around the world, the impact on the status of LGBTQ people throughout history is complex. In the early days, in many ancient societies, such as ancient India and ancient Israel, attitudes towards same-sex relations were clearly strict, and legal restrictions were often imposed based on morality and religion.
Homosexuality is explicitly prohibited under Israeli law according to the Torah and has been punished throughout history.
The laws of Italy and the United Kingdom have also undergone significant iterations in the definition of homosexuality over the past few hundred years. As demands and concepts changed, certain countries began to amend laws to relax restrictions on homosexuality in the 19th century, and the Netherlands became the first country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage in 2001, providing a model for many subsequent legislations.
In many countries, especially in Africa and the Middle East, same-sex marriage laws are still not protected by any human rights, which has led to gender minorities facing or even suffering from violence and discrimination. In the 2023 report, the current situation of LGBT rights around the world is diverse, with the relative openness of European countries contrasting sharply with the difficulties in Africa.
In the 2023 Equality Index, the Nordic countries, Chile and Canada all ranked high for LGBT rights, while countries such as Nigeria and Yemen ranked at the bottom of the list.
Despite the discouraging scene, there are still many groups and organizations working hard to promote and advance awareness of LGBTQ rights. However, these efforts still face obstacles in implementation in some countries. In some areas, the LGBT community not only faces legal repression, but is also isolated at the social level, resulting in long-term exploitation of rights and interests and infringement of human rights.
In our society, changes in laws are not just the agenda of legislative bodies; they also stem from individual pursuits and social movements. In fact, in many countries that have successfully promoted legal reforms, public support and social changes are indispensable. So, where does the motivation for change come from in the face of inequality?
As human rights issues continue to ferment around the world, whether same-sex marriage should be legalized is not only a legal issue, but also an important manifestation of social justice. Looking back at the challenges these countries have faced in reform, one cannot help but wonder: In the future global vision, will we see more countries follow the Netherlands’ footsteps, embrace change, and achieve true equality and respect?
