Taiwan's parliament legalised same-sex marriage in a landmark first for Asia on Friday, as thousands of supporters gathered outside waving rainbow flags, flashing victory signs.
Lawmakers from the majority Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) backed the bill, which passed 66 to 27, allowing same-sex couples to form “exclusive permanent unions” and apply for a “marriage registration” with government agencies.
The vote took place on the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia and the bill, which offers same-sex couples similar legal protections for marriage as heterosexuals, will come into effect after President Tsai Ing-wen signs it into law.
“Today, we have a chance to make history and show the world that progressive values can take root in an East Asian society,” Tsai had tweeted before the passing of the bill. Tsai had campaigned in the 2016 presidential election promising marriage equality.
Tsai hailed the vote as a “big step towards true equality”. Taiwan became the first place in Asia to pass same-sex marriage laws. Australia and New Zealand are the only places in the wider Asia-Pacific region to do the same.
In November last year, Taiwan voters opposed same-sex marriage in a series of referendums, defining marriage as being between a man and a woman.
Whatever the result, However, the law is not expected to bring full equality with heterosexual couples as it is yet to be determined if homosexual couples are entitled to key rights, such as adoption and cross-national marriage.
Gay rights groups hailed the vote and said they were willing to make compromises, adding that they could legally fight over adoption and surrogacy options in the future.
