Taiwan passes same-sex marriage law

Taiwan has secured a first for Asia, reaching a landmark decision to legalise same-sex marriage, after its Parliament rejected last-ditch attempts by conservative lawmakers to push a watered-down ‘civil-union’ law. According to a report in The Guardian, the island’s lawmakers comfortably passed a law allowing same-sex couples to form ‘exclusive permanent unions’ and a second clause that would let them apply for a ‘marriage registration’ with government agencies. Hundreds of gay rights supporters gathered near Parliament in Taipei despite heavy rain as a mammoth legislative debate got under way over an issue that has bitterly divided the island. The country’s top court has ruled that not allowing same-sex couples to marry violates the constitution. Judges gave the government until Friday this week to make the changes or see marriage equality enacted automatically. But they gave no guidance on how to do that. With that deadline fast approaching, three Bills were tabled for Friday’s vote – which also happens to be the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia. The most progressive was the government’s Bill, the only one to use the word ‘marriage’ and to offer limited adoption rights. It was backed – begrudgingly – by gay rights groups who saw it as the closest thing to full equality with heterosexual couples, despite its limitations. Opponents tabled two other versions which avoid the word marriage, offering something closer to same-sex unions with no adoption rights.