In many places in the world, same-sex marriage is becoming legal and recognized.
Same-sex marriage, also known as gay marriage, is marriage between people of the same sex, either as a secular civil ceremony or in a religious setting.
With this growing trend, it's becoming increasingly possible that someone in a same-sex marriage could convert to Islam.
Question: If someone in a same-sex marriage converts to Islam, what do they need to do?
(Or, in other words, what is the roadmap in going from "non-Muslim in same-sex marriage" to "good Muslim"?)
Perhaps getting a (legal) divorce would be required, but this strikes me as unwelcoming and may deter people from accepting Allah in their life (which is of far greater importance). Islam is also against severing ties of kinship. Converts are generally considered to have their past sins erased, and I'm unsure how this enters the picture.
For those who end up getting a divorce, divorces are not instantaneous, so, for a period of time, the person would be Muslim and in a same-sex marriage. Then there are matters of tawba (repentance) to consider. Moreover, this legal marriage would interfere if that person wished to seek an opposite-sex marriage.
(I understand some people have strong opinions on this matter; let's keep this civil please.)