Same-sex marriage is now legal in Taiwan

Most significant local news story during my semester

In Taiwan, the section “news” is never very provided in criminal stories. Indeed, the Taiwanese society is very focused on the security of the population and the criminality rate is very low. 

On the other hand, the country made the front page of international newspapers with the announcement of the legalization of same-sex marriage. 

On 24 May 2017, the Constitutional Court decided that the constitutional right to equality and freedom of marriage guarantees same-sex couples the right to marry under the Constitution of the Republic of China. The law, while still incomplete, proves that Taiwan will be an example for the Asian LGBT community. Thailand has proposed a law recognizing civil partnerships, but same-sex unions remain illegal elsewhere in Asia.  

Tsai Ing-wen, the president, voiced her support of the legislation in a Twitter post, saying that Friday marked “a chance to make history and show the world that progressive values can take root in an Asian society.” Chi Chia-wei, a gay rights activist for more than 30 years, said he was “very, very happy” to see Taiwan legalize same-sex marriage, calling the process “a strong demonstration of our democratic spirit.”

Although the island has a large gay community and its annual gay pride parade is the biggest in Asia, the issue of marriage equality has divided Taiwanese society. In a controversial referendum in November 2018, 67% voted to reject same-sex marriage. 

Pending the formalization of the new legislation, hundreds of couples have already registered to marry on May 24, the deadline set by the high court, but they have not known exactly what rights they would be afforded as newly married couples.