20 Jul 2015

Taiwan prepares same-sex marriage law

Plans are in place to draft a same-sex partnership law, meaning Taiwan could become the first region in Asia to legalize gay marriage.

Judicial authorities in Taiwan announced plans to draft a same-sex partnership law. The move comes after the US Supreme Court's decision and an upswing of public support in the country.

Lo Ying-hsueh, head of Taiwan's judicial body, announced that the related bills will be placed on an online voting platform that will be used as a reference point for the legislature, according to United Daily News.

Representatives of both of Taiwan's major political parties expressed support for the move. DPP chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen said gay marriage reflects equality and upholds human rights, while Hung Hsiu-chu, deputy KMT head, also said she maintains an "open and optimistic" attitude toward homosexuality.

Taiwan has one of the most open attitudes to homosexuality in the region. Taipei pride regularly attracts tens of thousands and a poll conducted by the government in 2013 showed 53 percent of the population supported gay marriage.

"The fact that the government decided to set a new same-sex partnership law discriminates against homosexuals and it shows that homosexual couples are different from heterosexuals," Chen Ling, a lesbian as well as gay rights activist, told the Global Times.