S INCE THE EARLY 1990S THE LEGAL recognition of same-sex relationships has emerged as a key site in the struggle for lesbian and gay legal equality (Winte- mute, 2001). It has been claimed that same- sex marriage is the ultimate equal rights goal of many lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans- gender (LGBT) people (Eskridge, 2002, p.2). Calhoun (2000, p.106) argues that it is imperative that the legal recognition of same-sex relationships be placed at the centre of struggles for lesbian and gay equality, as the heterosexism inherent in the traditional family serves to displace lesbians and gay men from both the public and private spheres. The centring of the struggle for legal recognition of same-sex relation- ships has given rise to a wealth of academic and media debate. There are commentators who support same-sex marriage (e.g. Eskridge, 2002; Kitzinger & Wilkinson, 2004a, 2004b; Sullivan, 1997), and those who do not (e.g. Clarke, 2003; Jeffreys, 2004). There are also those who see same-sex marriage as an inevitability, whilst being opposed to the patriarchal nature of marriage (Auchmuty, 2004). In this paper, we begin by outlining the frames of the debate surrounding the legal recognition of same-sex marriage, and the current literature about same-sex marriage, civil partnership and the emergence of the legal regulation of same-sex relationships as an ‘equality issue’. Second, we report the empirical findings of – to our knowledge - the first survey assessing lesbians’, gay mens’, bisexuals’ and heterosexuals’ views towards the legal recognition of same-sex relation- ships. This research embraces the percep- tions of a large number of individuals (N=1538) from a wide range of geographical locations (27 different countries), with Australia, Canada, the US and the UK being the most well represented. Finally, we discuss these data in relation to the possibilities and limitations for equality provided by the Lesbian & Gay Psychology Review, Vol. 7, No. 2 123 © The British Psychological Society 2006 ● ISSN 1467–2472 ‘We Do’? International perspectives on equality, legality and same-sex relationships Rosie Harding & Elizabeth Peel This paper provides an analysis of respondent’s perceptions about the legal recognition of same-sex relationships (N=1538). An online survey was developed to assess views regarding same-sex marriage and civil partnership, using statements rated on a forced-choice Likert-type scale with space for qualitative comments and collection of demographic information. Strategic opportunistic sampling and snowball sampling were used to achieve a large sample, derived from 27 different countries. Most respondents identified as lesbian or gay (69.4 per cent) and were currently in a same-sex relationship (67.2 per cent). Analysis indicates that the legal recognition of same-sex relationships is perceived as an important equality issue for lesbians, gay men and bisexual (LGB) people, and more support is evident for marriage than for civil partnership (particularly from those residing in North America). Heterosexuals are more likely to support civil partnership than LGB people, and lesbians are as positive about legal relationship recognition as gay men. Liberal formal equality arguments are better understood and more accepted than substantive equality or radical arguments. Our findings highlight that whilst LGB people strongly support the legal recognition of same-sex relationships they are especially in favour of same-sex marriage, and believe that all individuals (regardless of sexuality) should have access to the same relationship choices/statuses. Keywords: civil partnership, equality, gay men, legal recognition, lesbians, marriage, relationships.