10% OF WORLD’S POPULATION NOW HAS GAY MARRIAGE RIGHTS

It’s been revealed that more than 10 percent of the world’s population now lives in regions in which gay marriage is legal.

This according to a new analysis undertaken by Australian LGBT rights activist, Tony Pitman, on behalf of the group Melbourne Ports Residents for Marriage Equality.

Pitman first undertook his analysis in July 2013. At that time, there were 607 million people living in states or countries with same-sex marriage rights. That corresponded to 8.6% of the world’s entire population.

Now, one year later, that figure has risen to 725 million, or 10.1% of the world population.

“Although probably nobody realised it at the time, the key moment came on 20th May this year when the US state of Pennsylvania achieved marriage equality. Pennsylvania with its 13 million people pushed the world figure up over 10% for the first time in history,” said Pitman.

He noted that Unfortunately, his home of Australia does not yet rank amongst the countries that have introduced marriage equality. “When will the 23.5 million people who live in Australia join this list as well?” asked Pitman. “Let’s hope it’s soon!”

Over the last twelve months, jurisdictions that have achieved marriage equality include England, Scotland, Wales and Luxembourg, as well as the US states of New Jersey, Hawaii, Illinois, New Mexico, Oregon and Pennsylvania.

Denmark was the first country to allow “registered partnerships” for same sex couples in 1989. In 2001, the Netherlands became the first nation in the world to grant full same-sex marriage rights.

Same-sex marriage is now also legal nationally in Brazil, France, South Africa, Spain, Argentina, Canada, Belgium, Portugal, Mexico, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, New Zealand, Uruguay, Luxembourg and Iceland.