CANADA: Canada's House of Commons has passed landmark legislation legalising same-sex marriage nationwide.
Prime minister Paul Martin, a Catholic who personally struggled with the issue, pushed it as a crucial protection for human rights, despite the country's deep divisions over the matter.
"We are a nation of minorities," Mr Martin said. "And in a nation of minorities, it is important that you don't cherry-pick rights. A right is a right, and that is what this vote tonight is all about."
Alex Munter, national co-ordinator of Canadians for Equal Marriage, hailed the 158-133 victory as a "proud and exciting day to be a Canadian". Canada's Senate must still approve the bill for it to become law, but it is expected to pass quickly - perhaps by the end of July.
Nine of Canada's 13 provinces and territories already allow gay unions, and Mr Martin said he wanted to ensure that no one is discriminated against in the remaining parts of the country.
Belgium and the Netherlands already allow same-sex marriage, and similar legislation allowing civil unions has been passed in Denmark, France, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Iceland, Holland, Portugal and Finland.
The debate over equal rights for same-sex couples has simmered for years in Canada. The first application for a marriage license by a gay couple in Canada was made more than 30 years ago.
In 2003, a key court decision in Ontario recognized the 2001 marriage of two Toronto bankers, Joe Varnell and Kevin Bourassa. Then, province by province, similar legal challenges carved out equal treatment for same-sex couples under the law.
The issue gained momentum in December, when the Supreme Court ruled that the passage of gay-marriage legislation would not violate the constitution.