Same-sex marriages or recognition of same-sex unions are two different themes but pointing into one cause - same-sex relationships. It is not only the so-called "gay marriage" but can also be referred to as the "lesbian marriage". Whether it is a man-man relationship or woman-woman relationship, the focus of this article is not to understand this kind of relationship but to deliver some areas where these relationships were legally recognized. This topic is debatable for other countries and even full of controversy. Most likely, it becomes controversial because of the civil rights, moral, or social issues attached to it. Some lawmakers, however, extend some focus over this issue and even considered its legalization. For most countries, same-sex unions are immoral, sometimes punishing partners with imprisonment or other penalties. For people who are not aware of same-sex relationships or people who do not want to understand these kinds of relationships, the following gives us an idea on some realities around the world about the legalization of same-sex marriages or recognition of same-sex unions.

We have to distinguish the terms "recognize", "allow", and "legalize" same-sex "unions" or "marriages". Each country or even a state has its own specific law on domestic partnerships and marriages. To recognize or allow same-sex unions allows special rights and benefits to same-sex partners. However, to legalize same-sex marriages is a matter of constitutional right like heterosexual marriages. It carries with it all the legal effects of a contract of marriage.

Even before hundreds of years ago, same-sex relationships already existed but these were informal, not recognized, not sanctioned. But they existed. As years went on, some countries included in their laws the recognition of same-sex partnerships, defining the civil rights of each partner including the partnership and their respective civil and social obligations.

Records show that in October 1989, Denmark was the first country to recognize same-sex partnerships, specifically allowing same-sex marriages. Denmark recognizes all the legal effects of same-sex marriages as those of woman-man marriages. Eleven years after Denmark's legalization of same-sex marriage, Vermont is the first state in America to recognize same-sex couples accompanying them with the same rights as those of heterosexual couples. These include tax issues and inheritance. Later in 2009, Vermont recognized same-sex marriages. Massachusetts became the first state in America to legalize same-sex marriage by issuing marriage licenses to gay couples on May 2004. New Jersey, on October 2006, recognized same-sex unions but not extending on the legalization of their marriage. Connecticut Supreme Court, however, ruled to recognize same-sex marriages. On April 2009, Iowa made it the third state in the US to recognize same-sex marriages. On May 2009, Washington also made a bill that all domestic rights and benefits enjoyed by heterosexual married couples shall likewise be extended to same-sex couples. Few weeks later, New Hampshire legalized same-sex marriages.

On April 2001, the Dutch Law allowed same-sex marriages in The Netherlands, giving them equal domestic rights specifically on adoption. Belgium was the country next to Denmark to legalize same-sex marriages on June 2003. Few days after Belgium came the state of Ontario in Canada, legalizing the same. On December 2004, New Zealand recognized same-sex unions, specifically on their rights on child custody, taxes, and welfare. The following year, Spain also legalized gay marriage including their right on adoption and inheritance. In Canada, same-sex marriage was passed into law on June 2005. South Africa became the first African country to legalize same-sex marriages on November 2006. On the same month, Israel courts ruled that same-sex marriages done outside of their country shall be recognized inside their country following registering it legally in Israel. On February 2007, Italy recognizes same-sex unions but not extending it to legalizing their marriage. In 1993, Norway already allowed same-sex unions, but on June 2008, it passed a law allowing gay marriages including their right to adopt children. On exactly first day of the year 2009, Norway announced that gays were already allowed to marry and likewise allowing artificial insemination or making an adoption. In Sweden, 91% of the parliament on April 2009 voted for the recognition of same-sex marriage. In Hungary, provided they are at least 18 years old, the gay partners can register their partnership. On December 2009, Slovenia recognized same-sex unions and most likely to talk about the legalization of same-sex marriages on the succeeding years.

In early March 2010, Mexico City legalized same-sex marriage including their right of adoption. This law was later applied to three more Mexican states. Last month, Portugal and Iceland legalized gay marriages. On the same day that it was legalized, the prime minister of Iceland married her long time partner. Few days ago, Argentina did not only recognize same-sex unions but also legalized same-sex marriages. It is the first Latin American country to legalize the same.

Some states or countries allow or recognize same-sex civil union but some rights and benefits were limited to the partners. Despite specific limitations, civil unions are available in whole or in part of Andorra, Australia, Colombia, Croatia, Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Luxembourg, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Uruguay, and the United States (California, Hawaii, Maine, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Nevada, Oregon, Rhode Island, Wisconsin, Washington, and the federal District of Columbia).

In Germany, same-sex unions, despite only their union was legalized (without extending it to legalization of same-sex marriage), is like for same-sex couples a marriage. They can adapt each other's names, adoption of the other partner's biological child, a foreign partner can acquire citizenship because of the same-sex partnership, and property rights were recognized.