Same-sex marriage has been allowed in Malta since September 1, 2017, after the approval of legislation in Parliament on July 12, 2017. On August 1, 2017, President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca signed the measure into law. The law took effect the next day.
In March 2014, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat announced that his government would legalize same-sex marriage if elected to power. The move was seen as a way for Malta to attract more tourists from gay-friendly countries such as Spain and France. However, following his election victory that month, Muscat stated that he had not made any commitments regarding same-sex marriage during his campaign. He also said that it was up to Parliament to decide how to proceed with the issue. No further action followed the announcement until July 2017 when Parliament passed the necessary laws permitting same-sex marriages.
There have been no reports of LGBT people being persecuted in Malta. However, there are concerns about violence against women and children, especially those in vulnerable positions (such as refugees, migrants, and abused spouses). Women who seek help from police or prosecutors often face stigmatization. There are also reports of teachers and doctors refusing to treat LGBT patients or family members of deceased persons.
Malta is classified as a Christian country with a large Catholic population. In addition to Church services, individuals may attend religious ceremonies with friends or relatives without violating cultural norms.
In Cyprus, both male and female same-sex sexual conduct is allowed, and civil unions, which confer many of the rights and privileges of marriage, have been lawful since December 2015. However, there is no right to marry in Cyprus and thus no possibility for same-sex couples to be married.
Cyprus allows dual citizenship. If you are a citizen of another country, you may apply for Cypriot citizenship. The government will then decide if they want to grant you citizenship.
There is an agreement between Israel and Cyprus regarding mutual extradition of citizens so if one Israeli is arrested in Cyprus, the other can be detained as well.
Israel has an active gay community. Tel Aviv is known as the gay capital of Israel and there are also large LGBT+ communities in Jerusalem and Haifa. In 2011, there was even a gay festival held in Ashkelon called Pink Street.
However, Israel has no laws protecting homosexuals from discrimination. There are efforts under way to create such laws but they have not yet passed parliament.
In conclusion, yes, same-sex couples can get married in Cyprus and it is possible to become a Cypriot citizen.
In Malta, civil ceremonies are legally recognized. Marriages in Malta are governed under the terms of the 1975 Marriage Act. Marriages between UK and Irish nationals that take place in Malta are legally binding under both UK and Irish law. This is likewise true for nationals of the majority of other countries who desire to marry in Malta.
You can get married at any register office or with a notary public in Malta. You will need to provide proof of identity and address, as well as evidence of marital status for yourself and your partner if necessary. If you were previously married or in a civil partnership, then you will also need to provide evidence of termination of that marriage or civil partnership.
Who can perform marriages in Malta? Only a priest or minister of religion of a Christian church can conduct weddings. This includes Anglican, Baptist, Brethren, Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Evangelical, Lutheran, Moravian, Pentecostal, Presbyterian, Russian Orthodox, Salvation Army, Seventh-day Adventist, and Ukrainian Orthodox churches.
Non-Christian religions such as Judaism or Islam cannot conduct weddings. However, members of these religions can participate in religious services led by another person. For example, a rabbi can lead Jewish wedding ceremonies but could not conduct Protestant or Catholic weddings. Likewise, a Muslim pastor can conduct Islamic weddings but could not baptize infants nor give the Eucharist otherwise celebrate a Christian service.
Since September 1, 2009, same-sex marriage has been allowed in the U.S. state of Vermont. Vermont was the first state to legalize civil unions in July 2000, and the first to legalize same-sex marriage by adopting a legislation rather than being ordered to do so by a court. The law took effect on September 1, 2009, after it was passed by both houses of the Vermont Legislature and signed into law by Governor Jim Douglas.
In 2007, there were reports that the Vermont Senate might pass a bill legalizing gay marriage. However, this did not happen. In May 2008, the House voted down an effort to allow gay marriage. In June 2008, the House again rejected a measure seeking to give gay couples the right to marry. In October 2008, the Senate approved a bill to extend many of the same rights and benefits granted to married couples through their employers to unmarried partners. However, the House still refused to consider the bill, leaving same-sex marriages illegal in Vermont.
In early January 2009, it was reported that Senator John Campbell (D-Bennington) was working on a compromise bill that would have given gay couples the right to marry or enter into civil unions. However, no vote was taken on the bill and it died when Congress ended its session on February 13th.
Following the passage of the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2019, same-sex marriage has been legal in Northern Ireland from January 13, 2020. The first wedding took place on February 11, 2020.
In 2014, the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), who then had power at the Northern Irish government, rejected an attempt to introduce same-sex marriage by means of a petition with support exceeding 30,000 signatures. However, in response to demands from LGBT+ activists that it resist such a move, the party announced that they would review their position on the issue.
Same-sex marriage was made available as a option under electoral law for people aged 18 and over during elections to the Northern Ireland Assembly. It was not adopted by voters, but since there is no majority opposition to it, same-sex couples were given the right to marry or enter into civil partnerships. Same-sex marriages can be performed in Northern Ireland by licensed celebrants in England and Wales where they are permitted by law. In Scotland, where same-sex marriages are also lawful, it is possible for gay and lesbian couples to travel to Northern Ireland to get married.
The executive branch of the Northern Ireland government is made up of ministers who are members of the DUP or Sinn Féin.
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