THE NETHERLANDS MADE 

world history in December 2000, becoming the first

country to legalizesame-sex marriage and paving a path for more than two dozen
countries over the next two decades.

The Dutch Parliament passed a landmark bill overwriting the nation's civil marriage
statute to legally grant couples of the same sex the right to marry, divorce and adopt
children. And the major change only took just one sentence: "A marriage can be
contracted by two people of different or the same sex."

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As of December 2017, 29 countries had officially legalized same-sex marriage

nationwide or in some regions. Still more recognized same-sex marriages performed
elsewhere, but did not have a legal framework to approve same-sex marriages in
country. But the number of countries officially backing the political, social and often
religious issue is expected to grow.

The Americas and most of Europe have backed legalization. Australia followed suit in
December after Aussies showed a strong turnout in a postal survey on same-sex
marriage reform that ultimately ensured lawmakers would introduce a bill in Parliament.

But not all countries share similar widespread support. South Africa stands alone as the
only African country where same-sex marriage is legally recognized. And Taiwan could
become the first country in Asia to do the same following a May 2017 constitutional
court ruling against prohibition.

Here are the countries that have legally recognized same-sex marriage, according to
Pew Research Center and other sources.

Australia: December 2017

Australia's Parliament voted to legalize same-sex marriage following a postal survey

that showed Australian citizens were largely in support of the change. Lawmakers
approved the measure that defines a marriage as "a union of two people" by an
unchallenged majority, but four lawmakers registered their opposition.

Austria: December 2017

Austria's high court ruled that barring couples from marrying on the grounds of sexual
orientation is discriminatory. Beginning in 2010, same-sex couples were permitted to
form civil partnerships and adopt children. The court recommended that all couples be
permitted to formally marry starting in 2019.

Malta: July 2017

Maltese lawmakers voted to legalize same-sex marriage across the Mediterranean

island. The decision was in line with Prime Minister Joseph Muscat's campaign promise
to make such a law the first brought before Parliament in his first term.

Germany: June 2017

German lawmakers voted in favor of same-sex marriage in late June 2017 in a move

that was widely supported across the country. German Chancellor Angela Merkel voted
against the measure, but allowed members of the conservative party to vote in favor in
accordance with their conscience.

Colombia: April 2016

Same-sex marriage became legal in Colombia in late April 2016 after the country's top
court ruledsuch marriages constitutional. Previously, same-sex couples were permitted
to enter civil partnerships.

United States: June 2015

In June 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the 14th Amendment requires states to
grant marriages to gay couples and/or recognize those marriages performed by other
states. The split decision followed a shift in American public opinion in support of such
marriages.

Greenland: May 2015

Greenland passed a bill legalizing same-sex marriage in May 2015. The island, which is
a semi-autonomous region of Denmark, was not previously subject to that country's
same-sex marriage law passed in June 2012.