International Marriage Rights
Canada
A bill granting full marriage equality to same-sex couples in Canada became law on July 20, 2005. Marriage licenses are now available to same-sex couples nationwide. For more details, see Marriage in Canada.
Belgium
Belgium, which passed its law Jan. 30, 2003, recognizes same-sex couples equally in tax, inheritance and other marriage benefits but stops short of allowing same-sex married couples to adopt children together. The law stipulates that only couples from countries that allow same-sex marriages can be married under the law.
The Netherlands
The Netherlands, which in 2001 became the first country to extend marriage rights to same-sex couples, gives such couples exactly the same rights as heterosexual couples, including in tax, inheritance and adoption rights. The law requires that at least one member of the couple be a Dutch national or live in the Netherlands.
Spain
The Spanish Parliament approved legislation on June 29, 2005 legalizing marriage for same-sex couples in the country. Under the law, gay and lesbian parents would also be permitted to adopt children. The law went into effect on July 3, 2005.