Gay rights

I've compiled information about the extent of gay rights for the United States and Canada. A lot of this information comes from http://www.religioustolerance.org, and a lot of it is from memory... and no, I'm not gay :)

It might be cool if other people would add information for other countries (my first hand knowledge is largely limited to the two below). I know many European countries (Scandinavia and the Netherlands especially) are very progressive, while I don't want to imagine the things they do to homosexuals in some others (e.g. Iran).

Canada

Canada has been quite progressive in the area of equal rights for gays (at least compared to its southern neighbour). Homosexual behaviour has not been illegal since the 50's (it is still illegal in many/most American states). Every province except Alberta has or is implementing provincial anti-discrimination laws covering homosexuals (Alberta nearly enacted the notwithstanding clause when forced to stop discriminating). Also, except for some conservative circles mainly in Alberta, homophobia and discrimination against gays is universally frowned upon.

Canada, while (for now) limiting the definition of "marriage" to heterosexual couples, has been extending "marriage rights" to homosexuals incrementally. Gay couples are now recognized as common law partnerships, and some provinces (BC and Quebec that I know of) have implemented legislation to this effect (extending marriage rights while not calling it marriage). The main rights they currently lack are the same tax advantages as heterosexual couples, and the right to adopt. Same sex marriages have become a very hot political topic in Canada, with support for such a measure split evenly (with a slight edge to the pro-same sex marriage side: with roughly 55% popular support). Politically, the NDP support full equal rights, the Bloc and (ruling) Liberals have opted for full rights with the exception of "marriage", while the Progressive Conservatives supports more-or-less the status-quo and the Canadian Alliance (again, primarily Alberta based) has taken a firm stance against any further measures.

Much of this is due to Canadians attitude towards religion. Canada has evolved a popularly supported notion of the separation of church and state over the years (compared to the constitutional, but often ignored American one). Only 20% of Canadian adults attend a house of worship regularly (compared to 40% of Americans). Also, the two main protestant denominations (the Anglican and United churches) are very liberal (to the point of allowing openly gay clergy), while the large Catholic population pays only lip service to Rome (and have no qualms about divorce, abortion, or homosexuality).

United States

The status of homosexuals in the US is probably well understood by most E2'ers (considering most are American), but I'll repeat some of the key points. Firstly, many US jurisdictions have various "sex laws" makes homosexuality or homosexual acts illegal, but these are rarely if ever enforced. Legally, there is little or no strong statutory protection for gays (as there are for religious and racial minorities).

The US government itself is carrying out some of the most disturbing cases of discrimination. As is widely known, there is a policy against permitting gays in the military. While a "don't ask / don't tell" policy was implemented to combat some of the worst abuses of this policy, 'out' members of the military are still routinely discharged.

The case of US boy scouts is possibly a worst injustice. The Boy Scouts of America have a policy of not allowing gay scout leaders (and scouts?). Many public schools (mainly in the North) that had hosted scout meetings were outraged at this discrimination and refused to let them on school property. The US Congress, fearing the demise of the Boy Scouts and growing gay-rights sentiments, issued an edict that schools that did not permit scout groups to meet on their property would have their funding withheld.

Politically in the US, both the major parties oppose same sex marriages, but the Democrats have taken a softer line of gay rights. Public sentiments reflect this, with those opposed to same sex unions stands at around 60%. Some outspoken conservative politicians are very 'out' with their homophobia. However, some left-leaning Democrats and Independants (Progressive Caucus types) have been vocal on the opposite side of the issue. Vermont has passed something of a same-sex marriage law (on court order), but this is not binding on other states. Several cities also register gay partnerships, but these have even less weight.

Again, this is probably due largely to the effects of religion in America. A very large number of Americans attend church regularly. Most Americans are protestants, and the major protestant churches in the US (e.g. the Baptist church) are very conservative / literalist. Catholics are also often more 'fundamentalist' than their counterparts in other Western, first-world countries.