Same-sex Marriage and Article 12 of the European Convention on Human Rights

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Abstract

This chapter provides a critical analysis of the jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights in respect of same-sex marriage. We begin by exploring the ways in which human rights law provides a crucial framework through which to challenge legal restrictions on same-sex marriage. We then provide a critical consideration of the jurisprudence that the Court has established on same-sex marriage under Article 12 of the European Convention on Human Rights. We discuss a number of aspects of the Court’s approach to same-sex marriage which, we argue, are inconsistent with its general jurisprudence on the right to marry and reinforce a heteronormative understanding of marriage. In conclusion, we argue that the Court has interpreted Article 12 in a way that ensures that the right to marry guaranteed by the Convention remains, in practical and effective terms, inapplicable to same-sex couples.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationResearch Handbook on Gender, Sexuality and Law
EditorsChris Ashford, Alexander Maine
PublisherEdward Elgar Publishing
Publication statusAccepted/In press - 2019

Keywords

  • Article 12
  • European Convention on Human Rights
  • European Court of Human Rights
  • heteronormativity
  • Right to marry
  • same-sex marriage

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