Rhode Island was the last state in the New England region to allow gay marriage.

BBC: Rhode Island to legalise gay marriage after Senate vote

The House of Commons has voted to allow gay marriage in England and Wales, despite 161 MPs opposing the government's plans.

BBC: Gay marriage: Commons passes Cameron's plan

It is the only country in Africa to allow gay marriage.

ECONOMIST: Gay rights in developing countries

Last September, the Alliance Party voted in support of legislation to allow gay civil marriage in Northern Ireland.

BBC: Ford compares gay marriage debate to civil rights campaign

First a Republican Senate seat gets lost to an independent, Angus King, and now voters are set to allow for gay marriage.

FORBES: Maine Voters Approve Same Sex Marriage

Only 14.4% of Spaniards regularly attend mass, and legal changes to allow divorce, gay marriage and abortion have caused concern to the Church.

BBC: Pope Benedict consecrates Barcelona's Sagrada Familia

France's Socialist government has approved a bill to legalise same-sex marriage and allow gay couples to adopt.

BBC: French gay marriage and adoption bill backed by cabinet

On March 14th, for example, Presbyterian clergy agreed to allow blessings of gay couples at marriage-like ceremonies, and last year the Central Conference of American Rabbis voted to let rabbis officiate at such occasions too.

ECONOMIST: The wedding waltz

The bill's chances improved further when Senate President Teresa Paiva Weed said she would allow the bill to move forward, despite her opposition to gay marriage.

NPR: RI On Way To Be 10th State To Allow Gay Marriage