Same-sex marriage in Iceland

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Same-sex marriage has been legal in Iceland since 27 June 2010. A bill providing for a gender-neutral marriage definition was passed by the Althing on 11 June 2010. [1] No members of Parliament voted against the bill, and polling suggested that it was very popular among Icelanders. [2] Iceland was the third Nordic country, after Norway and Sweden, the seventh in Europe, and the ninth in the world to legalize same-sex marriage.

Contents

Iceland has become a popular marriage destination for same-sex couples and was listed as number eight in the "Top 10 Gay Wedding Destinations" by Lonely Planet in 2014. [3]

Registered partnerships

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Laws regarding same-sex partnerships in Europe¹
  Marriage
  Civil union
  Limited domestic recognition (cohabitation)
  Limited foreign recognition (residency rights)
  Unrecognized
  Constitution limits marriage to opposite-sex couples
¹ May include recent laws or court decisions that have not yet entered into effect.

Legislative action

Registered partnerships (Icelandic : staðfest samvist, pronounced [ˈstaːðfɛstˈsaːmvɪst] ) for same-sex couples were introduced in Iceland in 1996. The law was adopted by the Althing on 4 June by a vote of 44–1 and entered into force on 27 June 1996. [4] [5] [6] This legislation was repealed with the passing of the gender-neutral marriage law in 2010. The legislation granted the same range of protections, responsibilities and benefits as marriage, and was only applicable to same-sex couples. All parties in the Althing were in favour of the law. [7] [8] Iceland was the fourth country in the world to establish registered partnerships for same-sex couples, after Denmark, Norway and Sweden.

On 8 May 2000, the Icelandic Parliament approved amendments to the registered partnership law with a vote of 49–1, allowing foreigners to enter into registered partnerships if they had been residing in Iceland for at least two years. Another amendment allowed for a person in a registered partnership to adopt the biological child of his or her partner, unless the child was adopted from a foreign country. Iceland became the second country in the world, after Denmark, to grant same-sex couples some adoption rights. [9] On 2 June 2006, Parliament voted for legislation granting same-sex couples the same rights as heterosexuals in adoption, parenting and assisted insemination treatment. No member of Parliament voted against the proposal and the law came into effect on 27 June 2006. [10] Another amendment to the partnership law which took effect on 27 June 2008 allowed the Church of Iceland and other religious groups to bless same-sex registered partnerships. [11]

Notable Icelandic individuals joined in a registered partnership included former Prime Minister Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir and her partner Jónína Leósdóttir. [12] On 27 June 2010, they had their registered partnership converted into a recognized marriage. [13] [14] [15]

Statistics

The rate of registered partnerships remained relatively constant over the years. According to Statistics Iceland, 12 same-sex couples entered into such partnerships in 2003. This number was 17 in 2004, 13 in 2005, 13 in 2006, 19 in 2007, and 18 in 2008. [16]

Same-sex marriage

Legislative action

The Government of Iceland, elected in April 2009, announced the introduction of a gender-neutral marriage act at some point in the future. On 19 May 2009, it publicly stated that "a single marriage act will be adopted". Though it was not explicitly stated, it implied that the act would be gender-neutral. [17] [18] The opposition Progressive Party also supports same-sex marriage. [19]

On 18 November 2009, the Minister of Justice and Human Rights, Ragna Árnadóttir, confirmed that the Icelandic Government was working on a "single marriage act" which would include both opposite-sex and same-sex couples. [20] On 23 March 2010, the government presented a bill to repeal the registered partnership law and allow couples to marry regardless of gender. The bill would amend the Marriage Act (Icelandic : Hjúskaparlög, [21] pronounced [ˈçuːskapartlœɣ] ) to define marriage as the union of "two persons", [a] and make all references to marriage and married spouses gender-neutral. [22] [23] On 11 June 2010, the Icelandic Parliament approved the bill 49 to 0, with 7 abstentions and 7 absences. [21] [24] [25] The legislation was signed into law by President Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson on 22 June, and took effect on 27 June 2010. [26] Among the first couples to marry were Prime Minister Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir and her partner in Reykjavík on 27 June. [14] [27]

11 June 2010 vote in the Althing [24]
PartyVoted forVoted againstAbstainedAbsent (Did not vote)
  G   Social Democratic Alliance –
  Independence Party –
  G   Left-Green Movement ––
  Progressive Party –
  The Movement –––
  Independent –––
Total49077

Religious performance

In October 2015, the Church of Iceland voted to allow same-sex couples to marry in its churches. A freedom of conscience clause which would have allowed priests to decide based on religious or personal grounds whether to perform a ceremony was voted down by the Church Assembly. The Bishop of Iceland, Agnes M. Sigurðardóttir, welcomed the move to perform same-sex marriages, saying "the church is primarily a channel of the love of Christ and celebrates life in all its diversity." [28] Other smaller religious organisations also perform same-sex marriages, including Ásatrúarfélagið, which has been conducting same-sex weddings since 2003. [29]

Public opinion

A February 2000 Gallup opinion poll showed that 53% of Icelanders supported the right of same-sex couples to adopt children, 12% declared their neutrality and 35% were against the right to adopt. [30]

A June 2004 Gallup poll showed that 87% of Icelanders supported same-sex marriage. [30] [31] Furthermore, a Fréttablaðið opinion survey in November 2005 showed that 82.3% of the population supported access to assisted pregnancy for lesbian couples. [32] [33]

According to a 2006 Gallup poll, 89% of Icelanders supported same-sex marriage, with 11% opposed. Specifically, 66% supported both civil and religious same-sex marriages, 19% supported only civil marriages and 3% only religious marriages. Support varied by age: 92% of 18–24-year-olds were in favour of same-sex marriage, compared to 95% in the 25–34 age group, 93% in the 35–44 age group, 89% in the 45–54 age group, and 81% among those over 55. [34]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Article 1 of the Marriage Act states: Lög þessi gilda um hjúskap tveggja einstaklinga., translating to "This Act applies to the marriage of two persons." [21]

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Civil Partnership Act 2004</span> United Kingdom legislation

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Same-sex marriage has been legal in Ireland since 16 November 2015. A referendum on 22 May 2015 amended the Constitution of Ireland to provide that marriage is recognised irrespective of the sex of the partners. The measure was signed into law by the President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, as the Thirty-fourth Amendment of the Constitution of Ireland on 29 August 2015. The Marriage Act 2015, passed by the Oireachtas on 22 October 2015 and signed into law by the Presidential Commission on 29 October 2015, gave legislative effect to the amendment. Same-sex marriages in Ireland began being recognised from 16 November 2015, and the first marriage ceremonies of same-sex couples in Ireland occurred the following day. Ireland was the eighteenth country in the world and the eleventh in Europe to allow same-sex couples to marry nationwide.

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This article contains a timeline of significant events regarding same-sex marriage and legal recognition of same-sex couples worldwide. It begins with the history of same-sex unions during ancient times, which consisted of unions ranging from informal and temporary relationships to highly ritualized unions, and continues to modern-day state-recognized same-sex marriage. Events concerning same-sex marriages becoming legal in a country or in a country's state are listed in bold.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBTQ rights in the Republic of Ireland</span>

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) rights in the Republic of Ireland are regarded as some of the most progressive in Europe and the world. Ireland is notable for its transformation from a country holding overwhelmingly conservative attitudes toward LGBTQ issues, in part due to the opposition by the Roman Catholic Church, to one holding overwhelmingly liberal views in the space of a generation. In May 2015, Ireland became the first country to legalise same-sex marriage on a national level by popular vote. The New York Times declared that the result put Ireland at the "vanguard of social change". Since July 2015, transgender people in Ireland can self-declare their gender for the purpose of updating passports, driving licences, obtaining new birth certificates, and getting married. Both male and female expressions of homosexuality were decriminalised in 1993, and most forms of discrimination based on sexual orientation are now outlawed. Ireland also forbids incitement to hatred based on sexual orientation. Article 41 of the Constitution of Ireland explicitly protects the right to marriage irrespective of sex.

Same-sex marriage has been legal in Estonia since 1 January 2024. The government elected in the March 2023 election, led by Prime Minister Kaja Kallas and consisting of the Reform Party, the Social Democrats and Estonia 200, vowed to legalize same-sex marriage. Legislation to open marriage to same-sex couples was introduced to the Riigikogu in May 2023, and was approved in a final reading by 55 votes to 34 on 20 June. It was signed into law by President Alar Karis on 27 June, and took effect on 1 January 2024. Estonia was the first Baltic state, the first post-Soviet state, the twentieth country in Europe, and the 35th in the world to legalise same-sex marriage.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBTQ rights in Iceland</span>

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) rights in Iceland rank among the highest in the world. Icelandic culture is generally tolerant towards homosexuality and transgender individuals, and Reykjavík has a visible LGBT community. Iceland ranked first on the Equaldex Equality Index in 2023, and second after Malta according to ILGA-Europe's 2024 LGBT rights ranking, indicating it is one of the safest nations for LGBT people in Europe. Conversion therapy in Iceland has been illegal since 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Legal status of same-sex marriage</span>

The legal status of same-sex marriage has changed in recent years in numerous jurisdictions around the world. The current trends and consensus of political authorities and religions throughout the world are summarized in this article.

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Same-sex marriage has been legal in Sweden since 1 May 2009 following the adoption of a gender-neutral marriage law by the Riksdag on 1 April 2009. Polling indicates that a significant majority of Swedes support the legal recognition of same-sex marriage. Sweden was the second Scandinavian country, the fifth in Europe and the seventh in the world to open marriage to same-sex couples nationwide. Existing registered partnerships remain in force and can be converted to marriages if the partners so desire, either through a written application or through a formal ceremony. New registered partnerships are no longer able to be entered into and marriage is now the only legally recognized form of union for couples regardless of sex.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBTQ rights in Europe</span>

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) rights are widely diverse in Europe per country. 22 of the 38 countries that have legalised same-sex marriage worldwide are situated in Europe. A further 11 European countries have legalised civil unions or other forms of recognition for same-sex couples.

Same-sex marriage has been legal in Norway since 1 January 2009 when a gender-neutral marriage law came into force after being passed by the Storting in June 2008. Norway was the first Scandinavian country, the fourth in Europe, and the sixth in the world to legalize same-sex marriage, after the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Canada and South Africa. Polling suggests that a majority of Norwegians support the legal recognition of same-sex marriage, and in 2024 Norway was named the best marriage destination for same-sex couples by a British wedding planning website.

This is a list of notable events in the history of LGBTQ rights that took place in the year 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Recognition of same-sex unions in Europe</span>

Debate has occurred throughout Europe over proposals to legalise same-sex marriage as well as same-sex civil unions. Currently 33 of the 50 countries and the 8 dependent territories in Europe recognise some type of same-sex union, among them most members of the European Union (24/27). Nearly 43% of the European population lives in jurisdictions where same-sex marriage is legal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Same-sex union legislation</span>

Same-sex marriage is legal in the following countries: Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Denmark, Ecuador, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Uruguay.

This is a list of notable events in the history of LGBTQ rights that took place in the year 2010.

This is a list of notable events in LGBTQ rights that took place in the 2010s.

References

  1. ↑ Arce, Dwyer (11 June 2010). "Iceland parliament approves same-sex marriage legislation". JURIST. Archived from the original on 5 June 2020. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
  2. ↑ "Iceland parliament votes for gay marriage". IceNews. 11 June 2010. Archived from the original on 5 June 2020. Retrieved 2 February 2014.
  3. ↑ Zimmerman, Karla (February 2014). "Top 10 gay wedding destinations". Lonely Planet. Archived from the original on 5 June 2020. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
  4. ↑ "320. mál lagafrumvarp Lög nr. 87/1996, 120. löggjafarþingi". Althingi (in Icelandic). Archived from the original on 23 August 2017. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  5. ↑ "Lög um staðfesta samvist". Althingi (in Icelandic). Archived from the original on 6 June 2020. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  6. ↑ "Iceland : Recognized partnership law, 1996". France QRD. 1 July 1996. Archived from the original on 12 January 2016. Retrieved 2 February 2014.
  7. ↑ "ILGA Euroletter 42, June 1996". France QRD. June 1996. Archived from the original on 12 January 2016. Retrieved 2 February 2014.
  8. ↑ "ILGA Euroletter 43, August 1996". France QRD. August 1996. Archived from the original on 21 November 2015. Retrieved 2 February 2014.
  9. ↑ "Adoption of Stepchildren in Gay and Lesbian Families in Iceland". Gay Ottawa Now!. 13 June 2000. Archived from the original on 28 January 2016.
  10. ↑ Gunnarsdottir, Hrafnhildur (12 June 2006). "Important Improvements in Gay and Lesbian Rights in Iceland". ILGA-Europe . Archived from the original on 27 February 2012. Retrieved 2 February 2014.
  11. ↑ "First Lesbian Couple in Iceland "Marries" in Church". Iceland Review. 2 July 2008. Archived from the original on 6 June 2020. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  12. ↑ Moody, Jonas (30 January 2009). "Iceland Picks the World's First Openly Gay PM". Time. Archived from the original on 6 June 2020. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  13. ↑ Lloyd, Peter (28 June 2010). "Iceland's Prime Minister marries long-term partner". Pink Paper . Archived from the original on 5 March 2012.
  14. 1 2 Brocklebank, Christopher (28 June 2010). "Icelandic PM weds as gay marriage legislation comes into effect". PinkNews. Archived from the original on 15 February 2020. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  15. ↑ "Jóhanna og Jónína í hjónaband". RÚV (in Icelandic). 27 June 2010. Archived from the original on 12 May 2019. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  16. ↑ "Marriages, consensual unions and divorces". Statistics Iceland. 27 May 2009. Archived from the original on 6 June 2020. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  17. ↑ "Government Coalition Platform of the Social Democratic Alliance and Left-Green Movement". Eng.forsaetisraduneyti.is. 19 May 2009. Archived from the original on 6 June 2020. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  18. ↑ "Iceland: Homosexuality and the Law". Gayice.is. 30 July 2009. Archived from the original on 6 June 2020. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  19. ↑ "Framsóknarflokkurinn sendir frá sér ályktun um hjónabandslöggjöfina". Samtökin '78 (in Icelandic). 26 January 2009. Archived from the original on 6 June 2020. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  20. ↑ "Unnið að setningu einna hjúskaparlaga". Morgunblaðið . 18 November 2009. Archived from the original on 6 June 2020. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  21. 1 2 3 "Hjúskaparlög, staðfest samvist o.fl. (ein hjúskaparlög)". Alþingi (in Icelandic). Archived from the original on 6 June 2020. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  22. ↑ "Iceland Likely to Permit Gay Marriage by June". CarnalNation. Archived from the original on 3 February 2014. Retrieved 2 February 2014.
  23. ↑ "Iceland is fine-tuning marriage-equality bill". Sdgln.com. 10 April 2010. Archived from the original on 6 June 2020. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  24. 1 2 "Atkvæðagreiðsla". Alþingi (in Icelandic). Archived from the original on March 31, 2018. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  25. ↑ Bjornsdottir, Birna; Vinocur, Nicholas (11 June 2010). "Iceland passes gay marriage law in unanimous vote". Reuters . Archived from the original on 6 June 2020. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  26. ↑ "New gay marriage law in Iceland comes into force". IceNews. 28 June 2010. Archived from the original on 6 June 2020. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  27. ↑ "Jóhanna og Jónína gengu í hjónaband". DV (in Icelandic). 27 June 2010. Archived from the original on 28 October 2021.
  28. ↑ Underwood, York (29 October 2015). "Icelandic Priests Cannot Deny Gay Marriage". The Reykjavík Grapevine. Archived from the original on 14 February 2018. Retrieved 14 February 2018.
  29. ↑ "Old Norse Weddings Becoming More Popular For Same-Sex Couples". Reykjavík Grapevine. 15 May 2015.
  30. 1 2 Westlund, Jennie; Barr, Bonnie; Kuosmanen, Paula; Traustadóttir, Rannveig; Kristinsson, Thorvaldur (2009). "Regnbågsfamiljers ställning i Norden Politik" (PDF). NIKK Publikationer. p. 269. Archived (PDF) from the original on 6 June 2020. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  31. ↑ "Meirihluti vill leyfa giftingar samkynhneigðra" (in Icelandic). Morgunblaðið. 29 June 2004. Archived from the original on 31 January 2018. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
  32. ↑ "Íslendingar vilja að lesbíur fái að eignast börn með gjafasæði: Sýnir umburðarlyndi fólks" (in Icelandic). Fréttablaðið. 21 November 2005. Archived from the original on 31 January 2018. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  33. ↑ "Mikill stuðningur við rétt til tæknifjóvgunar". Vísir.is. 21 November 2005. Archived from the original on 6 June 2020. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  34. ↑ "Litlar breytingar á viðhorfi til giftinga samkynhneigðra" (PDF) (in Icelandic). Gallup. September 2006. Archived (PDF) from the original on 9 August 2019. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
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