31 inspiring photos of same-sex weddings around the world

Frank OlitoMay 9, 2020, 03:20 IST

Same-sex marriage began being legalized in the early 2000s.MLADEN ANTONOV/ Getty

Same-sex marriage has been legal in some countries since the early 2000s.
The Netherlands was the first country to legalize gay marriage in 2000.
Most recently, a couple married in Northern Ireland after a change in the law.
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While same-sex marriage is still relatively new across the US, there are some countries around the world where it's been recognized for years.

The Netherlands, Canada, South Africa, and Spain started the movement in the early 2000s, with many countries following suit. Most recently, same-sex marriage became legal in Northern Ireland.

Keep reading to take a look at how same-sex couples have been saying "I do" around the world.

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After decades of fighting for equal rights, countries all over the world are celebrating and embracing the power of diversity, love, and, most importantly, the LGBTQ community.

Couple kisses after their wedding. Amanda Perobelli/ Reuters

After decades of fighting for equal rights, countries all over the world are celebrating and embracing the power of diversity, love, and, most importantly, the LGBTQ community.

Sadly, many countries still put constraints on same-sex marriage. Italy is one of them.

Family celebrating same-sex wedding in Italy. FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/ Getty

In 2019, Northern Ireland passed a bill that allowed same-sex marriage, and the following year the first couple tied the knot.

Robyn Peoples and Sharni Edwards. Phil Noble/ Reuters

But many same-sex couples in Asia are still tirelessly and heroically fighting for their rights.

A couple celebrates at a pride parade in Japan. NurPhoto/ Getty

In 2019, Taiwan became the first place in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage.

LGBT couple at their civil union ceremony in China. STR/ Getty

Although same-sex marriage isn't legal throughout Mexico, in some parts it is.

Couple wed in Acapulco, Mexico, in 2015. Pedro Pardo/ Getty

For years, LGBTQ Australians would flock to New Zealand to wed because it was illegal in their country.

Couple on their wedding day in New Zealand. Phil Walter/ Getty

Gay marriage was legalized in Malta in 2017.

Cutting the wedding cake at a same-sex wedding in Malta. Matthew Mirabelli/ Getty

Just like traditional weddings, same-sex ceremonies in Germany — and all over the world — are filled with laughter, happy tears, and moving expressions of love.

Volker Beck and Adrian Petkov wed in Berlin. Picture Alliance/ Getty

Just like traditional weddings, same-sex ceremonies in Germany — and all over the world — are filled with laughter, happy tears, and moving expressions of love.

The new law in Germany granted equal rights to same-sex couples and enabled inspiring weddings to take place around the country.

Couple at their wedding ceremony in Germany. Picture Alliance/ Getty

Germany legalized gay marriage in 2017.

Guardsmen celebrate a newly married couple in Germany. Picture Alliance/ Getty

The US learned through numerous moving ceremonies that marriage is a right, not a privilege.

A wedding inside San Francisco's City Hall. AFP/ Getty

Now, same-sex marriage is a legal right in America, allowing for couples of all genders to celebrate their love.

Couple weds with their dogs in 2013. Kevork Djansezian/ Getty

This changed in 2015 when the Supreme Court made same-sex marriage legal across the United States.

Couple after getting married at the San Diego County Fair in 2013. Sandy Huffaker/ Getty

Same-sex marriage largely became a states' right issue.

Couple getting married in 2013 in California. Kevork Djansezian/ Getty

The road to legalizing same-sex marriage across the US has been a long and complicated one.

Couple getting married in 2015. Portland Press Herald/ Getty

Every same-sex wedding in the United Kingdom is a reminder of how powerful the LGBTQ community can be.

Andrew Wale and Neil Allard moments after saying their vows in Brighton. Luke MacGregor/ Reuters

The first same-sex wedding ceremonies in Scotland took place on December 21, 2014.

Couple celebrates their marriage in Scotland in 2014. Mark Runnacles/ Getty

The Marriage and Civil Partnership Act in 2014 made same-sex marriage legal in Scotland.

Couple celebrates their marriage in Scotland in 2014. Christopher Furlong/ Getty

England and Wales legalized same-sex marriage in 2013.

A same-sex couple gets married in Suffolk, United Kingdom. Gary John Norman/Getty

Despite President Bolsonaro's threat, the LGBTQ community is still marrying and proving that love trumps hate.

Couples say their vows in Brazil. Nacho Doce/ Reuters

The election of Brazil's new president in 2018 put same-sex marriage in jeopardy, however.

Couple weds in Brazil. Mario Tama/ Getty

In 2013, the National Justice Council of Brazil said the government cannot deny marriage licenses to same-sex couples, paving the way for gay marriage.

Couple weds in an emotional ceremony in Brazil. YASUYOSHI CHIBA/ Getty

In 2013, the New Zealand parliament passed the Marriage Amendment Bill, which made gay marriage legal across the nation.

First gay couple to marry in New Zealand. Hagen Hopkins/ Getty

Ten years later, South Africa had its first traditional same-sex wedding.

Tshepo Modisane and Thobajobe Sithole at their wedding in South Africa in 2016. Daily Sun/ Getty

In 2006, South Africa became the first African country to legalize gay marriage.

Couple weds in South Africa in 2006. Gallo Images/ Getty

As same-sex marriage spread throughout Europe, couples were able to express their love in public ceremonies.

Couple weds in Spain. Reuters

In 2018, Spain — a predominantly Catholic country — held its first same-sex wedding in a church, specifically.

First female couple to wed in Spain. MANU FERNANDEZ/ AP

In 2005, Spain legalized gay marriage.

Couple at their wedding in Spain. Sergio Perez/ Reuters

In January 2003, Belgium followed suit, legalizing marriage for same-sex couples.

Marion Huibrecht and Christel Verswyvelen leave a civil ceremony after getting married in June 2003 in Antwerp, Belgium. Mark Renders/Getty Images

In the year 2000, the Netherlands became the first country to legalize same-sex marriage.

Patrick Decker and Dutchman Stephen Hengst during their wedding ceremony on a boat at the Gay Pride canal parade in Amsterdam, Netherlands, in August 2009. Bas Czerwinski/AP Photo

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31 inspiring photos of same-sex weddings around the world

After decades of fighting for equal rights, countries all over the world are celebrating and embracing the power of diversity, love, and, most importantly, the LGBTQ community.

Sadly, many countries still put constraints on same-sex marriage. Italy is one of them.

In 2019, Northern Ireland passed a bill that allowed same-sex marriage, and the following year the first couple tied the knot.

But many same-sex couples in Asia are still tirelessly and heroically fighting for their rights.

In 2019, Taiwan became the first place in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage.

Although same-sex marriage isn't legal throughout Mexico, in some parts it is.

For years, LGBTQ Australians would flock to New Zealand to wed because it was illegal in their country.

Gay marriage was legalized in Malta in 2017.

Just like traditional weddings, same-sex ceremonies in Germany — and all over the world — are filled with laughter, happy tears, and moving expressions of love.

The new law in Germany granted equal rights to same-sex couples and enabled inspiring weddings to take place around the country.

Germany legalized gay marriage in 2017.

The US learned through numerous moving ceremonies that marriage is a right, not a privilege.

Now, same-sex marriage is a legal right in America, allowing for couples of all genders to celebrate their love.

This changed in 2015 when the Supreme Court made same-sex marriage legal across the United States.

Same-sex marriage largely became a states' right issue.

The road to legalizing same-sex marriage across the US has been a long and complicated one.

Every same-sex wedding in the United Kingdom is a reminder of how powerful the LGBTQ community can be.

The first same-sex wedding ceremonies in Scotland took place on December 21, 2014.

The Marriage and Civil Partnership Act in 2014 made same-sex marriage legal in Scotland.

England and Wales legalized same-sex marriage in 2013.

Despite President Bolsonaro's threat, the LGBTQ community is still marrying and proving that love trumps hate.

The election of Brazil's new president in 2018 put same-sex marriage in jeopardy, however.

In 2013, the National Justice Council of Brazil said the government cannot deny marriage licenses to same-sex couples, paving the way for gay marriage.

In 2013, the New Zealand parliament passed the Marriage Amendment Bill, which made gay marriage legal across the nation.

Ten years later, South Africa had its first traditional same-sex wedding.

In 2006, South Africa became the first African country to legalize gay marriage.

As same-sex marriage spread throughout Europe, couples were able to express their love in public ceremonies.

In 2018, Spain — a predominantly Catholic country — held its first same-sex wedding in a church, specifically.

In 2005, Spain legalized gay marriage.

In January 2003, Belgium followed suit, legalizing marriage for same-sex couples.

In the year 2000, the Netherlands became the first country to legalize same-sex marriage.