Same-sex union legislation marriages performed in the Netherlands are recognized in Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten. Whether same-sex couples should be allowed to marry has been and remains the topic of debate worldwide. Thirty-four countries and four jurisdictions worldwide have passed constitutional amendments that explicitly prohibit the legal recognition of same-sex marriage and sometimes other forms of legal unions as well. Seventeen countries and twenty-nine jurisdictions worldwide have authorized civil unions or unregistered cohabitation for same-sex couples as an alternative to marriage. The legal name of those unions as well as the number of rights that they provide can vary greatly. The first
Recognition of same-sex unions in Estonia Recognition of same-sex unions in Estonia Estonia has recognised same-sex unions since January 1, 2016 by allowing same-sex couples to sign a cohabitation agreement (), the first ex-Soviet state to do so. In addition, following a December 2016 court ruling, same-sex marriages performed abroad are recognised in Estonia. In November 2017, the Tallinn Circuit Court ruled that this recognition did not necessarily confer residency rights. However, in September 2018, following a ruling by the European Court of Justice, another Estonian court ruled that it does. In December 2005, the launch of a new family law bill by the Estonian Ministry