Taiwan legalises same-sex union in historic first for Asia

Taiwan’s parliament has finally passed a law to legalize same-sex marriage after more than two years of protests and political disputes.

With the passage of the law, gay couples now have the right to marry in a landmark vote that made the self-ruled island the first in Asia to adopt such legislation.

The law, which was passed on Friday — barely a week off the two-year deadline — allows same-sex couples to form “exclusive permanent unions” and a second clause that would let them apply for a “marriage registration” with government agencies.

The island’s constitutional court had in 2017 ruled that not allowing same-sex couples to marry violates the constitution.

A panel of judges had subsequently given the government until May 24, 2019 to make the changes or see marriage equality enacted automatically.

As the deadline approached, three bills were introduced for voting on Friday, the ‘International Day’ against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, and were passed.

Tsai Ing-wen, Taiwan’s president, who was clearly in support of marriage equality, took to Twitter to speak after the vote.

“We took a big step towards true equality, and made Taiwan a better country,” she wrote.

On May 17th, 2019 in #Taiwan, #LoveWon. We took a big step towards true equality, and made Taiwan a better country. 🏳️‍🌈

— 蔡英文 Tsai Ing-wen (@iingwen) May 17, 2019

Thousands of supporters of same-sex marriage gathered in heavy rain outside the parliament in Taipei, the capital, to watch a live broadcast of the proceedings.

It is believed that same-sex couples will be able to get married in Taiwan starting from May 24, 2019.