June is the Pride month all over the world and we have many reasons to celebrate our LGBTQ+ identity! Now that Father’s day is approaching too, YASS decided to do a study on how much of the world accepts same-sex parenting.

The gift of becoming a parent is one of life’s greatest gifts, but for some this is not granted. LGBTQ+ rights have come on leaps and bounds after decades of struggle. But the fight is not over yet. Many countries have laws dictating whether a same-sex couple is legally entitled to adopt, or if they are banned on the basis of their sexuality.

New map shows just how much of the world accepts same-sex parenting

• New study by RedLetterDays reveals just how much of the world legally accepts same-sex parents to adopt and those that do not
• Comparison between 10 years ago and now – shows that we have gone from 4% acceptance to 16%
• Leaving 84% of the world that do not – still classing same-sex adoption as illegal!
• Just 27 out of the 169 countries analysed accept
• Map shows the countries lit up in rainbows leaving those that don’t accept in darkness
  

The following map visually displays just how much of the world now accept same sex parenting legally through adoption comparing this to 10 years ago.

The data shows that 27 out of the 169 countries do allow joint adoption for same-sex couples, leaving 142 that don’t. This equates to 16% acceptance showing although we have come far, we still have a long way to go.

The Netherlands was the first to allow country-wide same-sex marriage in 2001, however, there’s more to equality than the right to marry – and same-sex parental rights are still being fought for.

More recently Australia legalised joint adoption in March 2018, where once only certain territories legally allowed same-sex adoption. 

The 27 countries that legally accept joint adoption for same-sex couples and when

84% of the world class same-sex parenting through adoption as ILLEGAL

Many countries have laws dictating whether a same-sex couple is legally entitled to adopt, or if they are banned on the basis of their sexuality. Much of the world is sadly still behind the times, banning joint adoption for same-sex couples.

As you can see from the map, Europe appears in darkness. Of the 51 countries in Europe, just 16 allow same-sex parents to legally adopt. Everywhere else, it is illegal!  Countries that don’t include Russia, Poland and Greece. 

Much of Asia, however, do not accept same-sex parenting, with Thailand, Japan, and the Philippines still classing joint adoption for same-sex couples as illegal. 

 There are several countries where same-sex marriage and partnerships are legal – such as Chile, Mexico, and Taiwan – but don’t allow joint adoption. Others allow same-sex couples to apply individually and have their application assessed by the country’s legal system. 

The World’s View on same-sex parenting 10 years ago – when just 4% of the world accepted

If the map looks sparse today, it was even worse 10 years ago. Only six countries fully recognised the legal adoption rights of same-sex couples up to 2008: South Africa (2002), Israel (2008), Belgium (2006), The Netherlands (2001), Spain (2005), and Sweden (2003).

In the UK, same-sex adoption has been legal in England and Wales from 2005, while Scotland legalised in 2009, and Northern Ireland followed suit in 2013. Meaning the whole of the United Kingdom did not accept same-sex adoption until 2013. This was part of a wider study which reveals what the world has to offer to new parents – including mums, dads and LGBTQ parents.

Sources:
• Annual number of births (births): http://data.un.org/Data.aspx?d=SOWC&f=inID:75&c=1,2,3,4,5,6&s=crEngName:asc,sgvEngName:asc,timeEngName:desc&v=1
• Joint adoption: https://www.hrlc.org.au/news/2018/3/13/nt-passes-adoption-equality-for-same-sex-couples, https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-06-30/german-same-sex-marriage-vote/8668740, International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association: Carroll, A. and Mendos, L.R., State-Sponsored Homophobia 2017: A world survey of sexual orientation laws: criminalisation, protection and recognition (Geneva; ILGA, May 2017) 
• Maternity leave, which a mother can legally take immediately after giving birth and can include some time just before, and paternity leave, which a father can legally take when his baby is born: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parental_leave & https://www.gov.uk/employers-maternity-pay-leave

About Red Letter Days
Set up in 1989, Red Letter Days pioneered the concept of giving unforgettable experiences as gifts. The idea really caught people’s imaginations and Red Letter Days today, with its iconic red box, is the go-to gift experience company.
Making memories over accruing ‘stuff’ is at our core and we offer a range of amazing experiences in the UK, giving customers an unrivalled choice with something to suit every taste, occasion, and budget.