Report
Family Recognition
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Publish Date
May 15, 2026
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Families are the cornerstone of human belonging, yet millions worldwide — including those headed by same-sex couples and transgender, nonbinary, and intersex individuals — remain legally invisible, leaving them vulnerable in areas such as parental rights, inheritance, healthcare, and protection from violence. The right to form a family and have it protected by law is a fundamental human right, and states are obliged under international law to ensure equal recognition for all families, with meaningful measures available even where political or legal obstacles exist.
Key Points
- Families are a vital source of belonging and stability, making their recognition essential for human rights and social cohesion.
- Family recognition refers to the legal acknowledgment and protection of diverse families in all their forms, including those formed by same-sex couples, as well as families in which transgender, nonbinary, and intersex people are partners, parents, or caregivers.
- Lack of legal recognition leaves families vulnerable in areas such as parental rights, inheritance, healthcare, migration, education, and protection from violence.
- The right to form a family, and to have that family respected and protected, is a fundamental human right. According to international human rights law, states must ensure equal recognition and protection of all families without discrimination. In contexts in which political, social, and legal obstacles inhibit governments’ political will to provide full recognition of diverse families, states can still advance protections through measures such as civil unions, property and inheritance rights, parental recognition, access to benefits, and anti-violence protections.
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