Includes bibliographical references.

Same-Sex Couples, Legislators and Judges : An Introduction to the Book / Daniele Gallo, Luca Paladini, Pietro Pustorino -- The Recognition of Same-Sex Couples rights in the US between Counter-Majoritarian Principle and Ideological Approaches : A State Level Perspective / Graziella Romeo -- From Gay Rights to Same-Sex Marriage : A Brief Story through US Federal Courts Jurisprudence / Antonio D'Aloia -- Different Approaches, Similar Outcomes : Same-Sex Marriage in Canada and South Africa / Edmondo Mostacci -- Same-sex Couples before Courts in Mexico, Central and South America / José Miguel Cabrales Lucio -- Following the Legislative Leaders : Judicial Recognition of Same Sex Couples in Australia and New Zealand / Olivia Rundle -- The Nordic Model : Same-Sex Families in Love and Law / Hrefna Friðriksdóttir -- A Glorious Revolution? UK Courts and Same-Sex Couples / Aidan O'Neill -- Between Recognition and Homophobia : Same-Sex Couples in Eastern Europe / Adam Bodnar and Anna Śledzińska-Simon -- Same-Sex Couples in France and Belgium : The Resilient Practice of Judicial Deference / Philippe Reyniers -- At the Crossroads between Privacy and Community : The Legal Status of Same-Sex Couples in German, Austrian and Swiss Law / Giorgio Repetto -- Judicial Restraint and Political Responsibility : A Review of the Jurisprudence of the Italian, Spanish and Portuguese High Courts on Same-Sex Couples / Tiago Fidalgode Freitas and Diletta Tega -- The Legal Situation of Same-Sex Couples in Greece and Cyprus / Spyridon Drosos and Aristoteles Constantinides -- The Law Applicable to the Formation of Same-Sex Partnerships and Marriages / Roberto Virzo -- On Recognition of Foreign Same-Sex Marriages and Partnerships / Giacomo Biagioni -- Same-Sex Families Across Borders / Matteo M. Winkler -- Same-Sex Couples before the ECtHR : The Right to Marriage / Pietro Pustorino -- Same-Sex Couples' Rights (Other than the Right to Marry) before the ECtHR / Francesco Crisafulli -- Same-Sex Couples before the Inter-American System of Human Rights / Laura Magi -- Free Movement Rights for Same-Sex Couples under EU law : What Role to Play for the CJEU? / Jorrit Rijpma and Nelleke Koffeman -- Employment Benefits for Same-Sex Couples : The Case-Law of the CJEU / Massimo F. Orzan -- International Administrative Tribunals and Their Non-Originalist Jurisprudence on Same-Sex Couples : 'Spouse' and 'Marriage' in Context, between Social Changes and the Doctrine of Renvoi / Daniele Gallo -- Same-Sex couples before Quasi-Jurisdictional Bodies : The Case of the UN Human Rights Committee / Luca Paladini.

The present volume focuses on the jurisprudence of national, supranational and international jurisdictions (and quasi-juridictions) as regards the legal status of same-sex couples. Its aim is to explore the content, rationale, functioning and potential of the different jurisdictions reasonings and their contribution to the strengthening of LGBTI rights (and duties). As a consequence, the book tries to convey the complexities and controversies that derive from the judicial recognition of same-sex couples across the world, taking always into account the relationship of the judiciary with the executive and the legislature and the related problems of legitimacy and democracy. The volume deals with this issue and considers it as a crucial test for modern democracies and contemporary societies.