In a first for Asia, Taiwan approves of same-sex marriage

Taipei: Taiwan voted on Friday to legalize same-sex marriage, a first in Asia and a boost for LGBT rights activists who had championed the cause for two decades.

Thousands of demonstrators outside parliament cheered and waved rainbow flags, as the lawmakers from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) backed the bill, which passed 66 to 27.

This move makes Taiwan the first place in Asia with a comprehensive law both allowing and laying out the terms of same-sex marriage.

Taiwan’s Constitutional Court in May 2017 said the constitution allows same-sex marriages and gave Parliament two years to adjust laws accordingly.

The court order mobilised LGBT advocacy groups pushing for fair treatment, as well as opponents among church groups and advocates of traditional Chinese family values.

It was not immediately clear, however, if same-sex couples are entitled to key rights, such as adoption and cross-national marriage, with parliament continuing to discuss the measure on Friday.

However, Friday’s measure could prove a challenge to Taiwan President Tsai’s bid for a second term in a January presidential election, after a poll defeat last year for her DPP was blamed partly on criticism of her reform agenda, including marriage equality.

Also Read: SL President bans three Islamic terrorist organisations