Isle of Man Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage

Six members of Isle of Man's Legislative Council voted in favor of the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Amendment) Bill (and only three against). Though same-sex couples have been able to enter civil unions since 2011, they were not allowed to marry. The Manx Rainbow Association said this legislative change is proof that Isle of Man is "shaking off its dark past."

And it was a dark past indeed. Homosexuality was a crime in the Isle of Man until 1992, and anyone caught engaging in same-sex relations could have faced life in prison. Fast forward 24 years and the locale is now welcoming of all sexual orientations.