Court blesses same-sex marriages in Taiwan

Landmark decision is a first for Asia

Taiwan’s top court ruled in favour of gay marriage yesterday, a landmark decision that paves the way for the island to become the first Asian country to legalise same-sex unions.

Crowds of supporters cheered, hugged and wept as the court said current laws “violated” the constitution’s guarantees of freedom of marriage and equality.

It gave the government two years to implement the ruling.

Currently, Taiwan’s Civil Code stipulates an agreement to marry can only be made between a man and a woman.

Momentum has been growing behind the push for equal marriage rights, with Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen supporting the campaign.

But there has also been anger among conservative groups, who have staged rallies against any change in the law.

The constitutional court said if parliament does not make the change within two years, samesex couples could register to marry regardless, based on its interpretation.

It added that a decision to allow gay marriages would bolster social stability and protect “human dignity”.

For Taiwan’s pioneering gay rights campaigner, Chi Chiawei, one of the petitioners who brought the case to court, it was the culmination of 30 years of activism. “I’m leaping with joy like a bird,” Chi said. “I hope parliament will prioritise the bill instead of dragging it on for another two years.”

Calls for marriage equality are gaining strength in a number of Asian countries, including South Korea and Japan.

“The system of a husband and a wife is not unconstitutional,” said demonstrator Becky Huang. “The welfare of the majority should not be sacrificed to please a few people.” -AFP