Recognition of same-sex unions in Vanuatu
[4] In October 2013, the Minister for Internal Affairs, Patrick Crowby, issued a warning that pastors are not allowed to preside over same-sex marriages.[5] Crowby referred to the Constitution of Vanuatu, which describes the country as "founded on traditional Melanesian values, faith in God, and Christian principles".Crowby called for an investigation and said he "would not hesitate to revoke the licence of the pastor and the church involved", as well as penalise the resort for allowing the ceremony to take place on its premises.[8][9] In June 2014, the Vanuatu Law Commission discussed the issue of same-sex marriage, noting developments in neighbouring Australia and especially New Zealand.[12] In May 2023, the Anglican Church, which has one diocese in Vanuatu, issued a statement "that while [it] will always extend and welcome with the love of God people with all forms of sexual orientation, it does not recognize nor will it bless same sex unions.
Marriage
Marriages performed elsewhere are recognized (American Samoa)
No recognition of same-sex couples
Constitution limits marriage to opposite-sex couples (Palau, Tuvalu)
Same-sex sexual activity illegal, but ban not enforced
Same-sex sexual activity illegal
(Country names will appear with mouse-overs when map is viewed at full size. Encircling lines are the
exclusive economic zones
of each state.)
Legal status ofsame-sex unionsMarriageAndorraArgentinaAustraliaAustriaBelgiumBrazilCanadaColombiaCosta RicaDenmarkEcuadorEstoniaFinlandFranceGermanyGreeceIcelandIrelandLiechtensteinLuxembourgMexicoNetherlandsNew ZealandNorwayPortugalSloveniaSouth AfricaSwedenSwitzerlandTaiwanThailandUnited KingdomUnited StatesUruguayIsraelAmerican SamoaCivil unionsBoliviaCroatiaCyprusCzech RepublicHungaryLatviaMonacoMontenegroSan MarinoBermudaCayman IslandsMinimal recognitionBulgariaCambodiaHong KongLithuaniaNamibiaSint MaartenPolandRomaniaSlovakiaSame-sex union legislationSame-sex union court casesTimeline of same-sex marriageRecognition of same-sex unions in AfricaRecognition of same-sex unions in AsiaRecognition of same-sex unions in EuropeRecognition of same-sex unions in the AmericasRecognition of same-sex unions in OceaniaMarriage privatizationDivorce of same-sex couplesDomestic partnershipMilitary policyAdoptionLGBTQ rights by country or territoryCaribbean NetherlandsAruba and CuraçaoNiue, Tokelau, or the Cook IslandsBritish Overseas Territoriessome tribal nationsComan v. RomaniaEuropean Court of JusticeEU citizensguru–shishyanata prathamaitri kararpartnership certificatesVanuatusame-sex marriageParliament of VanuatuMelanesianPolynesian outlierFutunaPolynesianthird genderfaʻafafineMele-Fila languageFutuna-Aniwa languageexclusive economic zonessame-sex marriage in 2013Patrick CrowbyConstitution of VanuatuIririkiPresbyterian Church of VanuatuRadio New Zealandnot legalised the gay and lesbian marriageFrenchBislamaAndrew Solomon NapuatPresidentNikenike VurobaravuAnglican Church of MelanesiaCatholic ChurchThe Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in VanuatuPort Vilaone diocesebless same sex unionsChurch of the NazareneHoly SeeFiducia supplicansCatholic priestsmarried according to church teachingLGBT rights in VanuatuThe PillarRecognition of same-sex unions in Oceania Federated States of MicronesiaChristmas Island