Same-sex marriages are now allowed in the Netherlands, Belgium, Canada, Spain, South Africa, Norway, Sweden, Portugal, Iceland, Argentina and Mexico City. Many other countries have passed civil union laws for same sex couples.

In 1989 Denmark became the first country in the world to offer civil unions for gay couples. Last summer a new law on same-sex marriage was passed by a large majority. It made it mandatory for all churches to conduct gay marriages. Individual priests can refuse to carry out the ceremony, but the local bishop must arrange a replacement for their church.

Australia has two gay marriage bills being debated in the House of Representatives that will likely be voted on later this year. There appears to be fairly strong support for a change in the definition of marriage. 

In a speech earlier this year Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron supported same-sex marriage, going beyond existing laws covering civil partnerships, which were introduced eight years ago.

Some government ministers have pledged to push through legislation that would make same-sex marriage legal by the next general election in 2015. There is mounting opposition from within the Conservative party and the Church of England and other religious groups.

Of course, where gay marriage is legalized, the promotion in schools, government and media of homosexuality as just another of several acceptable lifestyle options and gay marriage as normal and healthy isn't far behind.