In a historic celebration at Amsterdam’s City Hall, three same-sex couples exchanged vows in the early hours of Wednesday, marking the 25-year anniversary of the world’s first legalized gay marriages. This event, officiated by Mayor Femke Halsema, commemorates a pivotal moment in LGBTQ+ rights, initiated by former Mayor Job Cohen in 2001, which has since inspired similar laws in nearly 40 nations worldwide.
The Netherlands has seen over 36,000 same-sex unions since the law’s inception, according to official statistics. Among those celebrating this milestone is Prime Minister Rob Jetten, the country’s first openly gay leader, who plans to marry his partner, Argentine field hockey player Nicolás Keenan.
“As a prime minister, I’m very proud that we celebrate 25 years of universal marriage here in the Netherlands,” Jetten shared with The Associated Press during the overnight ceremony. He recalled being inspired as a 14-year-old, witnessing the first same-sex marriages on television.
In the United States, the Supreme Court recognized same-sex marriage nationwide in 2015, following state-level decisions. An estimated 800,000 same-sex couples in the U.S. were married by last year, according to studies.
Amy Quinn, deputy mayor of Asbury Park, New Jersey, was among the first married in the state in 2013. Emphasizing the practical benefits, she noted, “It’s shocking to me in terms of really how recently we got it.”
Despite the progress, challenges remain. Legislation in at least nine U.S. states seeks to revoke the legal recognition of same-sex marriages. Kelley Robinson, president of the Human Rights Campaign, urged vigilance, stating, “I don’t think it’s a time for people to be afraid. It’s a time to be aware, to protect our families, to protect our kids and to protect our lives.”
Globally, large regions, particularly in Asia and Africa, have yet to embrace same-sex marriage, with some countries, like Senegal, intensifying penalties against the LGBTQ+ community.
In the Netherlands, LGBTQ+ advocacy group COC’s spokesperson, Philip Tijsma, acknowledged the anniversary as a moment of celebration but urged for continued progress, citing ongoing issues like bullying and harassment.
The atmosphere in Amsterdam was celebratory, with Gert Kasteel and Dolf Pasker, one of the first couples married in 2001, expressing joy: “We’re very happy!”
