Human Rights Watch recently launched a new resource: a map that provides an overview of countries with marriage equality, civil unions or registered partnership.

The interactive map also includes links to the relevant legislation; and, where possible, a brief explanation of the path – legislative, judicial, or other – that these countries took to achieve marriage equality or to provide for same-sex civil unions or registered partnership.

The Netherlands became the first country to open civil marriage to same-sex couples in 2001. Twenty-five countries, including Ireland, recognise equal marriage rights for same-sex couples, with Austria, Taiwan and Chile expected to join the list soon.

As legal situations change in countries, the map will be updated.

View the interactive map here: http://internap.hrw.org/features/features/marriage_equality/

Hate Crime Legislation Is Next

In May, the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA) released their European Rainbow Map an annual benchmarking tool, which ranks 49 countries in Europe on their LGBTI equality laws and policies. Ireland fell to 15th and it’s noted in the ILGA report that the copious absence of hate crime legislation in Ireland is the main reason for its poor ranking.

In recent months Ireland has seen a surge in crimes against the LGBT+ community. In the weeks leading up to the Dublin Pride parade, there was a vicious assault on a young gay couple in Laois, who was beaten by a gang of thugs with hurls.

‘Burning Issues 2’ revealed that a Hate Crime law is now the number one priority for the LGBT+ community in post-marriage equality Ireland.

The Irish Council for Civil Liberties released a report last month showing Ireland has one of the highest rates of hate crime against those from an African background and transgender people in the EU, but no laws to address it.

Executive Director of the Irish Council for Civil Liberties Liam Herrick said: “This report identifies significant gaps in Irish law, policy and criminal justice practice around how we respond to the problem of hate crime.”