2009 (January). Sweden. A Bill was presented to the Riksdad (Parliament) that will make marriage available to same-sex couples.   Three of the political parties in the four-party governing coalition have tabled a motion that is expected to pave the way for gay marriage in Sweden from May 1 this year. The country has recognised same-sex couples with    Registrerat Partnerskap   since 1994.  Most, but not all, rights enjoyed in civil marriage are features in   Registrerat Partnerskaps.
2009 (January). Colombia.  Following a court ruling, civil unions are to be introduced.  There are no details yet as to what rights same-sex couples will have, but it is expected that the country will have the "strongest" rights for same-sex couples in South America.

2009 (April). Sweden. On April 1, the Swedish legislature passed its "gender neutral" marriage bill by a 261 - 22 margin.  Marriage will be available to same-sex couple from May 1, 2009.

2009 (April). USA. The Supreme Court of the State of Iowa ruled on April 3 that same sex couples had the right to marry. “The Iowa statute limiting civil marriage to a union between a man and a woman violates the equal protection clause of the Iowa Constitution,” the justices said in a summary of their decision.  Same-sex marriages will begin on April 27.

2009 (April). USA.  The State of Vermont, which was the first to legally recognise any form of same-sex relationships when it introduced Civil Unions in 2000, became the first State to legislate to include same-sex couples in their marriage laws.  Following a veto on the Bill by the Governor, both the legislature's House and Senate voted on April 7 to over-ride the Governor's veto - in the case of the House the vote was 100-49, just enough to reach the required two-thirds majority.  The new legislation will become law on September 1, 2009, when no more Civil Unions will be registered.  Those who have registered a Civil Union will continue to to have them recognised, but may "convert" them to marriage.

2009 (April). USA.  The State of Washington Legislature voted 62-35 on April 15 to introduce an "everything but marriage" bill that grants same-sex couples all the rights and benefits the state offers married couples.  The bill now goes to Governor Chris Gregoire, who is expected to sign it into law.

2009 (April). Hungary. The Hungarian Parliament passed the same-sex partnership bill on April 20 by a 199-159 (with eight abstentions) margin.  The bill, which does not give same-sex couple the right to adopt children, is expected to come into force in July.

2009 (May) USA. The Governor of Maine signed the Act to End Discrimination in Civil Marriage and Affirm Religious Freedom on May 6.  The law will become effective 90 days after the adjournment of the legislative session which is expected around the end of June.  However, plans are on hold as a petition to hold a referendum on the matter got the required number of signatories and it goes to public vote in November.

2009 (June).  USA. New Hampshire became the sixth state to legalise gay marriage after the Senate and House passed key language on religious rights and Gov. John Lynch — who personally opposes gay marriage — signed the legislation on June 3.  The new law will come into force on January 1, 2010, the second anniversary of the introduction in New Hampshire of Civil Unions.

2009 (June).  The French overseas territory of New Caledonia in the Pacific finally approved the PaCS (Pacte Civil de Solidarité) law, ten years after it was first introduced in France.  Same sex couples were able to register their 'pacte' from the first week of the month.

2009 (November).  USA. Voters in Maine overturned the decision of the State Senate, House and Governor to introduce gay marriage.

2009 (November). Australia's first legal civil partnership was registered in Canberra (Australian Capital Territory) on November 25.  Warren McGaw and Chris Rumble, who have been together for almost 20 years were the first couple to register.  ACT is the only place in Australia to have any form of legal partnership recognition for same-sex couples.

2009 (December).  The Austrian Parliement passed, by a 110-64 margin, legislation on December 10  allowing same-sex couples to enter into civil unions.  It is expected to become law on January 1, 2010.  While civil unions will give many rights enjoyed by married couples, the legislation does not give the right to  adoption or artificial insemination.

2009 (December).  In the USA, the Washington DC City Council approved 11-2 the introduction of gay marrage, and Mayor Adrian M. Fenty signed the Bill on December 18.  By law, the US Congress has to review the Bill within "30 legislative days".

2009 (December).  Mexico. A measure to legalise same-sex marriage was passed 39-20 by the Mexico City Assembly. The change, Associated Press reported, would allow same-sex couples to adopt children, apply for bank loans together, inherit wealth and be included in the insurance policies of their spouse, rights they were denied under civil unions allowed in the city.  The Mayor is likely to sign the measure, applicable only in Mexico City. into law.