Taiwan becomes 1st in Asia to recognize same-sex marriage
World
Taiwan becomes 1st in Asia to recognize same-sex marriage
Taiwan constitutional court ruled in favor of gay marriage Wednesday, a landmark decision that paves the way for the island to become the first place in Asia to legalize same-sex unions. The court said current marriage laws were “in violation of both the people’s freedom of marriage … and the people’s right to equality,” and it gave two years for legal amendments to be implemented. If Parliament does not make the change within two years, the court said same-sex couples could register to marry regardless, based on its interpretation.
Sexual orientation is an immutable characteristic that is resistant to change. … Furthermore, the freedom of marriage for two persons of the same sex, once legally recognised, will constitute the collective basis, together with opposite-sex marriage, for a stable society.
Constitutional court ruling
Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights activists had harbored high hopes their years of campaigning for same-sex marriage would win the court’s backing. Taiwan, which China regards as a renegade province, is internationally known as a beacon of liberalism in a region where socially conservative attitudes largely hold sway. The ruling Democratic Progressive Party that swept national elections in the self-ruled island last year supported the change. Conservative groups, however, have staged mass protests against any change in the law. Supporters from both camps had gathered in central Taipei to await the decision, with hundreds of pro-gay marriage campaigners flying rainbow flags outside Parliament.
This is a clear victory for equal rights in marriage, and it is also a victory for all the people.
Victoria Hsu, the lead lawyer on activist Chi-Chia-wei’s case
