Some early Western societies integrated same-sex relationships. While the relationship was clearly approved by the wider community, and was compared to heterosexual marriage, it did not involve a religious ceremony binding the couple. Īn example of egalitarian male domestic partnership from the early Zhou dynasty period of China is recorded in the story of Pan Zhang & Wang Zhongxian. This type of arrangement was also similar in ancient European history. : 178 Males also entered similar arrangements. In the southern Chinese province of Guangdong, during the Ming dynasty period, females would bind themselves in contracts to younger females in elaborate ceremonies. The Almanac of Incantations contained prayers favoring on an equal basis the love of a man for a woman and of a man for man. Same-sex marital practices and rituals were more recognized in Mesopotamia than in ancient Egypt. Same-sex unions were known in Ancient Greece and Rome, ancient Mesopotamia, in some regions of China, such as Fujian province, and at certain times in ancient European history. Various types of same-sex unions have existed, ranging from informal, unsanctioned relationships to highly ritualized unions. There is history of recorded same-sex unions around the world. See also: Homosexuality in ancient Rome and Homosexuality in ancient Greece
Registered in Aruba, Curaçao and Sint Maarten in such cases, but the rights of marriage are not guaranteed.