Despite an uneven global landscape, progress for marriage equality and childbearing rights for LGBTQ+ couples continues. Since October 1999 when the first legal status for same-sex couples was recognized in the form of cohabitation, the trajectory for γάμος ομοφύλων, or same-sex marriage has headed largely upwards. The Netherlands was the first to legalize this equality in 2001, followed by 24 countries in Europe, 15 of which are European Union members.
Same-sex marriage is now acknowledged as a human right in 35 countries, demonstrating a clear trend towards broader societal acceptance. However, legislation associated with τεκνοθεσία, or childbearing remains complex and varies significantly from country to country. Granting rights to assisted reproduction and surrogacy for male couples, for example, is still not widespread.
Nonetheless, there have been positive changes in recent times. Last year, the European Court of Justice decreed that same-sex couples and their children must be recognized as a family across all EU member states, even in countries which do not recognize marriage equality. This stresses the importance of upholding the rights of the child and emphasizes that progress towards inclusive LGBTQ+ rights is possible. As societies continue on their journey towards total LGBTQ+ acceptance, further legislative evolution in this area is expected.
