Taiwan Becomes The First Country In Asia To Rule In Favor Of Same Sex Marriage

Taiwan has made history by becoming the first Asian country to allow same-sex marriage as a right to homosexual couples in the country.

On May 23, Taiwan’s Constitutional Court decided to legally recognize marriage between 2 people of the same gender.

The court argued the ruling was completely lawful, stating the fact that the current civil code that does not permit same-sex marriages was a violation of the Taiwan’s constitution.

“The need, capability, willingness and longing, in both physical and psychological senses, for creating such permanent unions of intimate and exclusive nature are equally essential to homosexuals and heterosexuals, given the importance of the freedom of marriage to the sound development of personality and safeguarding of human dignity.”

— Constitutional Court of Taiwan

The gay community in Taiwan has formed an active union over the past few years, and even hold a yearly Gay Pride march which draws tens of thousands of people.

While a number of conservative religious and social groups have protested against same-sex marriage, the majority of the public has proven to be in favor of the ruling along with Taiwan’s first female president, Tsai Ing-wen.

The legislation that enforces the court’s ruling is currently working its way through the legislature, with both the ruling and major opposing parties supporting legalization of same-sex marriage.