Alabama is the latest U.S. state to change its stance on gay marriage and start issuing some marriage licenses to same-sex couples. This is despite Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore’s instructions to the probate judges to dismiss the federal ruling.
Across the Atlantic in Europe, a low turnout at a referendum in Slovakia on Saturday failed to strengthen a ban on gay marriage and prevent gay couples from adopting. The poll, organized by Alliance for the Family, also asked voters whether sex education and euthanasia should be made optional at school.
As it stands, the following 18 countries have legalized same-sex marriage and two allow the union to take place in some jurisdictions.
COUNTRIES WHERE SAME-SEX MARRIAGE IS LEGAL:
Scotland (since 2014)
Luxembourg (2014)
Brazil (2013)
England / Wales (2013)
France (2013)
New Zealand (2013)
Uruguay (2013)
Denmark (2012)
Argentina (2010)
Iceland (2010)
Portugal (2010)
Norway (2009)
Sweden (2009)
South Africa (2006)
Spain (2005)
Canada (2005)
Belgium (2003)
The Netherlands (2000)
COUNTRIES WHERE SAME-SEX MARRIAGE IS LEGAL IN SOME JURISDICTIONS:
Mexico (2009)
United States (2003)
Source: Pew Research Center, January, 2015