Same-sex marriage , also known as gay marriage , is the marriage of two people of the same legal sex. As of , [update] marriage between same-sex couples is legally performed and recognized in 38 countries, with a total population of 1.
The most recent jurisdiction to legalize same-sex marriage is Thailand. Same-sex marriage is legally recognized in a large majority of the world's developed countries ; notable exceptions are Italy , Japan , South Korea and the Czech Republic. Adoption rights are not necessarily covered, though most states with same-sex marriage allow those couples to jointly adopt as other married couples can.
Some countries, such as Nigeria and Russia , restrict advocacy for same-sex marriage. Other countries have constitutionally mandated Islamic law , which is generally interpreted as prohibiting marriage between same-sex couples.
There are records of marriage between men dating back to the first century. Scientific studies show that the financial, psychological, and physical well-being of gay people is enhanced by marriage, and that the children of same-sex parents benefit from being raised by married same-sex couples within a marital union that is recognized by law and supported by societal institutions.
At the same time, no harm is done to the institution of marriage among heterosexuals. These claims are refuted by scientific studies , which show that homosexuality is a natural and normal variation in human sexuality, that sexual orientation is not a choice, and that children of same-sex couples fare just as well as the children of opposite-sex couples. Some proponents of the legal recognition of same-sex marriageโsuch as Marriage Equality USA founded in , Freedom to Marry founded in , Canadians for Equal Marriage , and Marriage for All Japan - used the terms marriage equality and equal marriage to signal that their goal was for same-sex marriage to be recognized on equal ground with opposite-sex marriage.
