The Parliament in Iceland has voted unanimously to approve same-sex marriage, an important milestone for gay equality. This means the wording of marriage legislation includes matrimony between "man and man, woman and woman" and upgrades same sex marriage to be fully equal with marriage.
Since 1996 two individuals of the same sex could apply to district commissioners and their legally qualified representatives to enter into a 'confirmed cohabitation'. In 2008 same sex couples could register their partnership in church or any other religious congregation as well as with a civil registrar. Lesbians and gay men in a 'confirmed cohabitation' had the same rights and responsibilities as married heterosexual couples. The newly approved legislation replaces the 1996 legislation of confirmed cohabitation and upgrades it to be fully equal with marriage. This is a major milestone for the LBGT community in Iceland, a milestone which as has been battled for for many years.
Same-sex marriage is legal in Belgium, Canada, the Netherlands, Norway, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Mexico City, Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and Washington, D.C.
