The Spread of the Oxymoron

A survey of gay marriage around the globe. It's woefully incomplete, but still interesting. Summary:

The Netherlands, Belgium, Canada, Spain and (later this month) Britain: Recognize gay marriages.

South Africa: Highest court has ordered parliament to recognize gay marriage.

United States: Massachusetts recognizes gay marriage. Vermont and Connecticut recognize same-sex civil unions. Hawaii, Maine, New Jersey and California allow couples living together the same rights as married couples.

South Africa: Constitutional Court ruled in favor of same-sex marriages and ordered parliament to change "intolerant" laws within a year.

Denmark, France, and Portugal: Recognize some form of civil union.

Australia: No gay marriage. It passed legislation last year that defined marriage as "a union between a man and a woman to the exclusion of all others."

India, China, and Russia: Don't recognize any form of gay marriage.