Recognition of same-sex unions in Oceania
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/33/Same-sex_marriage_map_Oceania.svg/300px-Same-sex_marriage_map_Oceania.svg.png)
Marriage
Marriages performed elsewhere in the country recognized (American Samoa)
No recognition of same-sex couples
Constitution limits marriage to opposite-sex couples (Palau, Tuvalu)
Same-sex sexual activity illegal, but ban not enforced
Same-sex sexual activity illegal
(Country names will appear with mouse-overs when map is viewed at full size. Encircling lines are the exclusive economic zones of each state.) ![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d0/Civil_union_map_Oceania.svg/300px-Civil_union_map_Oceania.svg.png)
Gender-neutral civil unions.
Civil unions never performed.
Part of the LGBT rights series |
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Debate has occurred throughout Oceania over proposals to legalize same-sex marriage as well as civil unions.
Currently two countries and eight territories in Oceania recognize some type of same-sex unions. Two Oceanian countries, Australia and New Zealand,[nb 1] and eight territories or states, namely Easter Island, French Polynesia, Guam, Hawaii, New Caledonia, the Northern Mariana Islands, the Pitcairn Islands and Wallis and Futuna allow same-sex couples to legally marry. In American Samoa, same-sex marriage is not performed, but same-sex marriages from other jurisdictions are recognized.
Current situation
[edit]National level
[edit]Status | Country | Legal since | Country population (Last Census count) |
---|---|---|---|
Marriage (2 countries) | ![]() | 2017[1] | 24,754,000 |
![]() | 2013[2] | 4,840,750 | |
Total | — | — | 29,594,750 (80% of the Oceanian population) |
No recognition (10 countries) * same-sex sexual activity illegal | |||
![]() | — | 135,869 | |
![]() | — | 856,346 | |
![]() | — | 96,335 | |
![]() | — | 73,630 | |
![]() | — | 12,329 | |
![]() | — | 5,172,033 | |
![]() | — | 179,000 | |
![]() | — | 494,786 | |
![]() | — | 106,137 | |
![]() | — | 240,000 | |
Subtotal | — | — | 7,366,465 (19.44% of the Oceanian population) |
Constitutional ban on marriage ( 2 countries) * same-sex sexual activity illegal | ![]() | 2008[3][4] | 19,409 |
![]() | 2023[5] | 11,146 | |
Subtotal | — | — | 30,555 (0.1% of the Oceanian population) |
Total | — | — | 7,397,020 (20% of the Oceanian population) |
Sub-national level
[edit]Status | Country | Jurisdiction | Legal since |
---|---|---|---|
Marriage (8 jurisdictions) | |||
![]() | 2022 | ||
![]() | 2013[6] | ||
![]() | 2015[7] | ||
![]() | Varies | ||
Recognizes marriages performed in other jurisdictions only (1 jurisdiction) | ![]() | 2022 | |
No recognition (3 jurisdictions) * same-sex sexual activity illegal | ![]() | — |
Public opinion
[edit] Indicates the country/territory has legalized same-sex marriage nationwide
Indicates that same-sex marriage is legal in certain parts of the country
Indicates that the country has civil unions or registered partnerships
Indicates that same-sex sexual activity is illegal
Country | Pollster | Year | For | Against | Neutral[a] | Margin of error | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | Ipsos | 2023 | 63% | 27% [16% support some rights] | 10% not sure | ±3.5% | [14] |
![]() | Ipsos | 2023 | 70% | 20% [11% support some rights] | 9% | ±3.5% | [14] |
Country | Pollster | Year | For | Against | Neutral[a] | Margin of error | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | University of Guam | 2015 | 55% | 29% | 16% | - | [15] |
Notes
[edit]See also
[edit]- LGBT rights in Oceania
- Australian Marriage Law Postal Survey
- Recognition of same-sex unions in Africa
- Recognition of same-sex unions in the Americas
- Recognition of same-sex unions in Asia
- Recognition of same-sex unions in Europe
Notes
[edit]- ^ Excluding Tokelau, Niue and the Cook Islands.
References
[edit]- ^ Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Act 2017
- ^ Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Act 2013
- ^ Constitutional proposal 2-274: Marriages between men and women only Archived 15 April 2015 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "The Rights and Liberties of the Palau Constitution by Kevin Bennardo". Archived from the original on 17 April 2015. Retrieved 14 July 2015.
- ^ "Constitution of Tuvalu 2023" (PDF).
- ^ (in French) LOI n° 2013-404 du 17 mai 2013 ouvrant le mariage aux couples de personnes de même sexe
- ^ Same Sex Marriage and Civil Partnership Ordinance 2015
- ^ Chief Judge Frances M. Tydingco-Gatewood, District Court of Guam, Order and Opinion Re: Motion for Summary Judgement, Aguero v. Calvo Case 1:15-cv-00009, 8 June 2015
- ^ Hawaii Marriage Equality Act of 2013
- ^ De La Torre, Ferdie (30 June 2015). "AG says they will be working with Inos admin in drafting regs". Saipan Tribune. Retrieved 30 June 2015.
- ^ Gonzales-Pagan, Omar. "No Same-Sex Couple Left Behind: SCOTUS Ruling for the Freedom to Marry Would Apply with Equal Force to U.S. Territories". Lambda Legal. Retrieved 1 July 2015.
- ^ "American Samoa is lone US territory questioning gay marriage validity; no licenses sought". U.S. News & World Report. 10 July 2015. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
- ^ "Same-sex marriage: American Samoa may be the only territory in the US where the historic Supreme Court ruling does not apply". The Independent. 10 July 2015. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
- ^ a b LGBT+ PRIDE 2023 GLOBAL SURVEY (PDF). Ipsos. 1 June 2023. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
- ^ UOG Poll: 55% Support Gay Marriage, Pacific News Center, April 22, 2015