Divided world

· USA

Recognition of same-sex partnerships exists in some states. California passed legislation in 1999 for a registry for domestic partnerships which grants hospital visitation rights and health insurance benefits. Last week the supreme court overruled the Texan law which allowed the state to punish homosexuals for having sex.

· New Zealand

Same-sex couples are granted the same rights as married and unmarried heterosexual partners with regard to property when the relationship, which must have been at least three years long, breaks down. Rights to access the estate of a deceased partner who has not left a will.

· Canada

Marriage is available to same-sex partners after a decision of the Ontario court of appeal this month. Same-sex couples are granted all the rights enjoyed by unmarried heterosexual common-law partners, including rights to file joint tax returns and other government benefits.

· Spain

Since 1994 housing rights granted to a person cohabiting in an emotional relationship analogous to that of a spouse, without regard to sexual orientation.

· Netherlands

Marriage and adoption laws grant the full range of protection, responsibilities and benefits that come with civil marriage. No joint adoption is allowed of children from outside Netherlands for married same-sex couples.

· Zimbabwe

The last few years have seen attacks of extraordinary virulence on Zimbabwe's lesbian and gay community, led by President Robert Mugabe, who once said gays and lesbians were "worse than pigs or dogs". Homosexuality is criminalised in Zimbabwe under its common law concerning "sodomy and unnatural offences" with prison sentences ranging from 10 to 20 years.

· Malaysia

Homosexuality is illegal. Caning is one punishment, along with long prison sentences of up to 20 years. The use of homophobia as a political weapon became apparent in 1998 with the arrest of the country's former deputy prime minister on four charges of sodomy. Later that year the People's Voluntary Anti-Homosexual Movement called homosexuality a new threat to the country.