LGBTQ+ Marriage Milestones From History
From the complete criminalisation of homosexuality in most parts of the world to same-sex marriage becoming legal in all 50 states of America, it’s safe to say queer marriage has come a long way in the last few centuries. That’s why this year, we’re celebrating queer Valentine’s Day by looking back at major historical milestones in LGBTQ+ marriage equality from around the world – including the important work that’s left to be done.
Major Queer Marriage Milestones Worth Celebrating
There are many instances of same-sex unions from Ancient History, with bisexuality a significant part of Roman culture – Nero, the first Roman emperor to marry a man, is even said to have taken two husbands! But our timeline of modern recorded history begins over one hundred and twenty-five years ago in Spain.
1901: Marcela Gracia and Elisa Sánchez get legally married in Spain by Elisa adopting a male identity under the name Mario Sánchez. After the truth comes out, the two flee to America to avoid being arrested.
1963: Swedish lesbian activist Vivi Astroy and partner Märta tie the knot at a symbolic wedding ceremony in Stockholm. The ceremony is attended by 50 guests, with a gay friend officiating the service.
1971: Jack Baker and Michael McConnel apply for a marriage license in Minnesota, USA. While first denied by a clerk, Blue Earth County issues the couple a licence a few months later. After the Assistant Chief Judge declares the marriage "to be in all respects valid," it becomes the first same-sex marriage legally recognised by a government in the world.
August 1989: Andrew Sullivan makes the first case for same-sex marriage in a major American journal with his essay titled Here Comes the Groom: A (Conservative) Case for Gay Marriage, published in The New Republic.
October 1989: Denmark becomes the first country in the world to legally recognise same-sex unions. Registered partnerships give those in same-sex couples "most rights of married heterosexuals, but not the right to adopt or obtain joint custody of a child".
1995: Khav Sokha and Pum Eth, a lesbian couple from Cambodia, marry in the village of Kro Bao Ach Kok. The marriage was legally recorded, with 250 people attending the ceremony including Buddhist monks and high officials from the Province.
2000: The Netherlands signs into law the first same-sex marriage bill in the world, having cleared both the country’s Senate and House of Representatives in a historic vote. The law comes into effect on 1 April 2001, with Dutch couple Gert Kasteel and Dolf Pasker marrying that same day at the world's first legally recognised same-sex wedding.
2004: The 2004 Civil Partnership Act in the UK allows same-sex couples to register as partners, with the same legal rights and responsibilities of marriage. The act not only protects queer individuals financially but paves the way for later equal marriage in the country.
2005: Canada legalises same-sex marriage in its parliament, making it the first country in the Americas to do so, and the fourth in the world after the Netherlands, Belgium and Spain.
2006 : South Africa becomes the first and only African country to legalise same-sex marriage when Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka signs the Civil Union Act into law. The first same-sex wedding in the country takes place on the 1st of December.
2010: Argentina’s President Cristina Fernandez signs a new law to legalise marriage for same-sex couples in the country, making it the first in Latin America to do so. Civil registries immediately start processing the long list of marriage applications from queer couples.
2013: Following the 2004 Civil Partnership Act, same-sex couples are finally able to marry in the UK with the 2013 Marriage Act. The introduction of equal marriage means same-sex relationships are no longer ‘separate but equal’ in law. The first marriages are held in England and Wales on March 29th.
May 2015: Ireland becomes the first country to legalise same-sex marriage through a popular referendum. There are 62% of Irish voters in favour, and the President of Ireland formally signs the marriage protection into the Irish Constitution later that year.
June 2015: Same-sex marriage becomes legal in all 50 states of America following a 5-4 decision in Obergefell v. Hodges. The U.S Supreme Court declares that all states must
license and recognise marriage between same-sex couples.
2019: Taiwan legalises same-sex marriage in a historic move, making it the first country in Asia to do so. The country continues as a leader for LGBTQ+ rights in the continent, following its annual gay pride parade in Taipei.
What’s Left to Be Done for LGBTQ+ Marriage Equality?
There’s no doubt we’ve come a long way for LGBTQ+ equality in the UK and beyond, and every one of the above marriage milestones is worth celebrating. However, there are still many barriers for the queer community who want to get married.
For example, transgender folk can’t get married in the UK without a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC). Without a GRC, you’ll legally be considered the gender on your original birth certificate. Getting a GRC takes a really long time, requires a tonne of medical evidence, and is mentally exhausting for the trans community.
Adam Holcroft, founder of Rainbow & Co , shared his thoughts on what getting married as a trans man meant to him, as well as his difficulties obtaining a GRC:
"I put off getting my Gender Recognition Certificate for a long time but then when my partner and I decided to get married I knew I couldn't wait any longer! The process was stressful and arduous, having to provide evidence for every three month period since I first transitioned over 15 years ago. Having the decision of whether to grant the certificate in the hands of strangers felt ridiculous and the pressure was mentally taxing.
Thankfully I was granted my GRC along with a new birth certificate and can now get married as a man, something I never even considered possible when I first transitioned. As a trans person, the possibility of a lonely future is very real and so to find someone who loves me for every part of me, transness and neurodiversity included, is incredible."
- Adam, Founder of Rainbow & Co
Shop the Rainbow & Co LGBTQ+ Wedding Collection Today
Looking for a way to honour queer identities and relationships at your wedding, or want to bag yourself a thoughtful wedding favour? Browse our queer wedding collection and make your special day as unique and vibrant as you are. You can also read about the story behind our collection on our LGBTQ+ blog and discover how Eva and fiancée Adreanna inspired our range!
Tilly Brogan
Tilly is a queer Freelance Copywriter based in Manchester. She balances her time between working with LGBTQ+ organisations and women’s rights charities - and people watching in various Manchester cafes. She is also a proud lesbian. You can read more of her work here.
