The map below shows all the countries that have enacted or are in the process of enacting same-sex marriage legislation:

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Europe leads on legalisation

The majority of the twelve countries currently affording full rights to same-sex couples are within Europe, with Canada, Argentina, Brazil and South Africa the only other countries fully legislated elsewhere.

New Zealand and Uruguay have fully passed bills that will officially come into law later this year, making for a total of 14 countries worldwide to fully recognise gay marriage.

Brazil only yesterday effectively fully recognised the full rights of couples, after years of them only being recognised by individual states within the country. However, the ruling could be overturned by the Supreme Federal Court.

The French bill has passed through the parliamentary process, but now must navigate through a complicated regulatory process before being fully integrated into French law.

Partial and ongoing recognition

In the United States, twelve states have legislated in favour of gay marriage. Minnesota is the most recent to have enacted legislation, again only within the last twenty-four hours.

Gay marriage is recognised in Israel and Mexico state (two areas, including Mexico City, offer full rights) but not performed. California conditionally allow same-sex union, although it is more limited than the full legislation that was enacted briefly in 2008.

Many countries are currently in the process of legislative change, including Taiwan, Germany, Belgium, the UK and Ireland. In Ireland, same-sex couples can enter civil unions but do not currently have the full rights enjoyed by other couples. 

In April this year, 79% of the Constitutional Convention voted in favour in of same-sex marriage. Government representatives have suggested there will be a referendum to introduce full marriage rights for same-sex couples, although not until at least late 2014.