Recognition of same-sex unions in Oceania

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Recognition of same-sex relationships in Oceania .mw-parser-output .legend{page-break-inside:avoid;break-inside:avoid-column}.mw-parser-output .legend-color{display:inline-block;min-width:1.25em;height:1.25em;line-height:1.25;margin:1px 0;text-align:center;border:1px solid black;background-color:transparent;color:black}.mw-parser-output .legend-text{} Marriage Marriages performed elsewhere are recognized (American Samoa) No recognition of same-sex couples Constitution limits marriage to opposite-sex couples (Palau, Tuvalu) Same-sex sexual activity illegal, but criminalisation 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.) .mw-parser-output .hlist dl,.mw-parser-output .hlist ol,.mw-parser-output .hlist ul{margin:0;padding:0}.mw-parser-output .hlist dd,.mw-parser-output .hlist dt,.mw-parser-output .hlist li{margin:0;display:inline}.mw-parser-output .hlist.inline,.mw-parser-output .hlist.inline dl,.mw-parser-output .hlist.inline ol,.mw-parser-output .hlist.inline ul,.mw-parser-output .hlist dl dl,.mw-parser-output .hlist dl ol,.mw-parser-output .hlist dl ul,.mw-parser-output .hlist ol dl,.mw-parser-output .hlist ol ol,.mw-parser-output .hlist ol ul,.mw-parser-output .hlist ul dl,.mw-parser-output .hlist ul ol,.mw-parser-output .hlist ul ul{display:inline}.mw-parser-output .hlist .mw-empty-li{display:none}.mw-parser-output .hlist dt::after{content:": "}.mw-parser-output .hlist dd::after,.mw-parser-output .hlist li::after{content:" * ";font-weight:bold}.mw-parser-output .hlist dd:last-child::after,.mw-parser-output .hlist dt:last-child::after,.mw-parser-output .hlist li:last-child::after{content:none}.mw-parser-output .hlist dd dd:first-child::before,.mw-parser-output .hlist dd dt:first-child::before,.mw-parser-output .hlist dd li:first-child::before,.mw-parser-output .hlist dt dd:first-child::before,.mw-parser-output .hlist dt dt:first-child::before,.mw-parser-output .hlist dt li:first-child::before,.mw-parser-output .hlist li dd:first-child::before,.mw-parser-output .hlist li dt:first-child::before,.mw-parser-output .hlist li li:first-child::before{content:" (";font-weight:normal}.mw-parser-output .hlist dd dd:last-child::after,.mw-parser-output .hlist dd dt:last-child::after,.mw-parser-output .hlist dd li:last-child::after,.mw-parser-output .hlist dt dd:last-child::after,.mw-parser-output .hlist dt dt:last-child::after,.mw-parser-output .hlist dt li:last-child::after,.mw-parser-output .hlist li dd:last-child::after,.mw-parser-output .hlist li dt:last-child::after,.mw-parser-output .hlist li li:last-child::after{content:")";font-weight:normal}.mw-parser-output .hlist ol{counter-reset:listitem}.mw-parser-output .hlist ol>li{counter-increment:listitem}.mw-parser-output .hlist ol>li::before{content:" "counter(listitem)"\a0 "}.mw-parser-output .hlist dd ol>li:first-child::before,.mw-parser-output .hlist dt ol>li:first-child::before,.mw-parser-output .hlist li ol>li:first-child::before{content:" ("counter(listitem)"\a0 "} .mw-parser-output .navbar{display:inline;font-size:88%;font-weight:normal}.mw-parser-output .navbar-collapse{float:left;text-align:left}.mw-parser-output .navbar-boxtext{word-spacing:0}.mw-parser-output .navbar ul{display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;line-height:inherit}.mw-parser-output .navbar-brackets::before{margin-right:-0.125em;content:"[ "}.mw-parser-output .navbar-brackets::after{margin-left:-0.125em;content:" ]"}.mw-parser-output .navbar li{word-spacing:-0.125em}.mw-parser-output .navbar a>span,.mw-parser-output .navbar a>abbr{text-decoration:inherit}.mw-parser-output .navbar-mini abbr{font-variant:small-caps;border-bottom:none;text-decoration:none;cursor:inherit}.mw-parser-output .navbar-ct-full{font-size:114%;margin:0 7em}.mw-parser-output .navbar-ct-mini{font-size:114%;margin:0 4em}html.skin-theme-clientpref-night .mw-parser-output .navbar li a abbr{color:var(--color-base)!important}@media(prefers-color-scheme:dark){html.skin-theme-clientpref-os .mw-parser-output .navbar li a abbr{color:var(--color-base)!important}}@media print{.mw-parser-output .navbar{display:none!important}} v t e Same-sex marriage map Oceania.svg
Recognition of same-sex relationships in Oceania
  Marriage
  Marriages performed elsewhere are recognized (American Samoa)
  No recognition of same-sex couples
  Constitution limits marriage to opposite-sex couples (Palau, Tuvalu)
  Same-sex sexual activity illegal, but criminalisation 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.)
Countries performing civil unions in Oceania Gender-neutral civil unions. Civil unions never performed. Civil union map Oceania.svg
Countries performing civil unions in Oceania
  Gender-neutral civil unions.
  Civil unions never performed.

Debate has occurred throughout Oceania over proposals to legalize same-sex marriage as well as civil unions.

Contents

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

National level

StatusCountryLegal sinceCountry population
(Last Census count)
Marriage
(2 countries)		 Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australia 2017 [1] 24,754,000
Flag of New Zealand.svg New Zealand 2013 [2] 4,840,750
Total——29,594,750
(80% of the Oceanian population)
No recognition
(10 countries)
* same-sex sexual activity illegal
Flag of the Federated States of Micronesia.svg Federated States of Micronesia —135,869
Flag of Fiji.svg Fiji —856,346
Flag of Kiribati.svg Kiribati *—96,335
Flag of the Marshall Islands.svg Marshall Islands —73,630
Flag of Nauru.svg Nauru —12,329
Flag of Papua New Guinea.svg Papua New Guinea *—5,172,033
Flag of Samoa.svg Samoa *—179,000
Flag of the Solomon Islands.svg Solomon Islands *—494,786
Flag of Tonga.svg Tonga *—106,137
Flag of Vanuatu.svg Vanuatu —240,000
Subtotal——7,366,465
(19.44% of the Oceanian population)
Constitutional ban on marriage
( 2 countries)
* same-sex sexual activity illegal		 Flag of Palau.svg Palau 2008 [3] [4] 19,409
Flag of Tuvalu.svg Tuvalu *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

StatusCountryJurisdictionLegal since
Marriage
(8 jurisdictions)
Flag of Chile.svg Chile2022
Flag of France.svg France
  • Flags of New Caledonia.svg New Caledonia
  • Flag of French Polynesia.svg French Polynesia
  • Flag of France.svg Wallis and Futuna
2013 [6]
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom 2015 [7]
Flag of the United States.svg United States Varies
Recognizes marriages performed in other jurisdictions only
(1 jurisdiction)		 Flag of the United States.svg United States2022
No recognition
(3 jurisdictions)		 Flag of New Zealand.svg New Zealand—

Public opinion

  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
Opinion polls for same-sex marriage by country
CountryPollsterYearForAgainstNeutral [a] Margin
of error		Source
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australia Ipsos202363%
27% [16% support some rights]
10% not sure±3.5% [14]
Flag of New Zealand.svg New Zealand Ipsos202370%
20% [11% support some rights]
9%±3.5% [14]
Opinion polls for same-sex marriage by dependent territory and sub-national entities
CountryPollsterYearForAgainstNeutral [a] Margin
of error		Source
Flag of Guam.svg Guam University of Guam201555%29%16%- [15]

Notes

  1. 1 2 Also comprises: Don't know; No answer; Other; Refused.

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Excluding Tokelau, Niue and the Cook Islands.

References

  1. ↑ Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Act 2017
  2. ↑ Marriage (Definition of Marriage) Amendment Act 2013
  3. ↑ Constitutional proposal 2-274: Marriages between men and women only Archived 15 April 2015 at the Wayback Machine
  4. ↑ "The Rights and Liberties of the Palau Constitution by Kevin Bennardo". Archived from the original on 17 April 2015. Retrieved 14 July 2015.
  5. ↑ "Constitution of Tuvalu 2023" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 December 2023. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
  6. ↑ (in French) LOI n° 2013-404 du 17 mai 2013 ouvrant le mariage aux couples de personnes de même sexe
  7. ↑ "Same Sex Marriage and Civil Partnership Ordinance 2015" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 January 2016. Retrieved 2 July 2015.
  8. ↑ 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
  9. ↑ Hawaii Marriage Equality Act of 2013
  10. ↑ 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.
  11. ↑ 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.
  12. ↑ "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.
  13. ↑ "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.
  14. 1 2 LGBT+ PRIDE 2023 GLOBAL SURVEY (PDF). Ipsos. 1 June 2023. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  15. ↑ UOG Poll: 55% Support Gay Marriage, Pacific News Center, April 22, 2015
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