Global marriage boom: 2005 is shaping up as the year of marriage equality everywhere but here.

Described by many as the "year of gay marriage" in the United States, 2004 saw some major developments, including the full legalization of marriage for same-sex couples in Massachusetts. Now 2005 is shaping up to be the year of gay marriage abroad.

In the last two months the United Kingdom and New Zealand sanctioned civil unions for gay and lesbian couples, which will take effect this year. And full legal gay marriage is expected in Spain, South Africa, and Canada, perhaps by year's end. The Canadian supreme court on December 9 gave approval to the introduction of legislation that would legalize same-sex marriage nationwide. Prime Minister Paul Martin and his justice minister, Irwin Cotler, have pledged to offer a same-sex marriage bill as soon as the parliament reconvenes January 31. After a period of debate, the first vote will likely occur within a couple of months.

Despite organized opposition from some well-funded religious groups and a call for a national referendum on same-sex marriage by conservative Canadian lawmakers, "at this point it looks like it'll pass," said Laurie Arron, director of advocacy for Egale Canada, a national gay rights group. Seven provinces and the Yukon Territory have declared same-sex marriage laws to be legal, and polls consistently show that a majority of Canadians approve.

In October, Spain's ruling Socialist Party approved legislation to legalize same-sex marriage, and the bill is expected to pass the legislature later this year. And in a case brought by a lesbian couple in South Africa, that country's highest court ruled on November 30 in favor of providing marriage rights to gay and lesbian couples. Government recognition is expected to follow.

Pro--gay-marriage developments in countries like Spain and South Africa should provide hope to gay Americans, said Evan Wolfson, executive director for the gay rights group Freedom to Marry. "South Africa is a tremendous inspiration to all of us because something that once seemed intractable, formidable, and unchangeable, something that was defended as part of 'God's plan' came to an end," said Wolfson, author of Why Marriage Matters: America, Equality, and Gay People's Right to Marry.

Furthermore, Wolfson said, the cavalcade of same-sex couple legislation abroad is vital to the marriage struggle in the United States. "It shows that the sky doesn't fall, that families are strengthened, that society is better off when discrimination ends," he said. "It's also a justifiable goad to the United States to step up and reclaim the role of leader when it comes to human rights."