Same-sex marriage in Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten their respective countries. After an amendment, giving cohabiting couples (including same-sex couples) some limited rights, was proposed to the Estates of Curaçao in 2017, former Prime Minister Gerrit Schotte suggested that a referendum on the legalisation of same-sex marriage be held on the island. Same-sex marriage in Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten Same-sex marriages are not performed in Aruba, Curaçao, or Sint Maarten, which are constituent countries () of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The islands were, however, obliged after several court rulings to register any marriage (including same-sex marriages) registered in the Kingdom, but they don't have to give
Cohabitation agreement have been gained, regardless of any cohabitation agreement existing, but if a couple share a home their chances of buying the rights are much more limited. In December 2005, the British government offered gay couples equal rights with married couples if they register a civil partnership legally. The government-backed scheme – which enables same-sex couples to qualify for next-of-kin entitlements on inheritance tax, pensions and property – is likely to attract many more couples. There will still be large legal differences between civil partnership and marriage. For example, a couple can get married and have all the legal rights and