First country in Asia to legalise same-sex unions
TAIWAN yesterday became the first country in Asia to legalise same-sex marriage after a years-long struggle for marriage equality that left the self-ruled island deeply divided.
It came just days before a deadline to legalise same-sex marriage imposed by the island’s top court in 2017 in a ruling that said the law which defines marriage as between a man and a woman was unconstitutional. GENEVA: Compulsive sexual behaviour and addiction to digital gaming are among the new entries listed in the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) International Classification of Diseases.
The revised catalogue is set to be formally adopted at the annual week-long meeting of WHO member states, which starts on Monday in Geneva. Doctors will be able to use the new WHO code “6C51” when diagnosing someone as being unable to control the impulse to play online games, and “6C72” for sex addicts, including addiction to online pornography. This would allow national health authorities to compile statistics on these phenomena, monitor trends and earmark their budgets accordingly.
The decision to add gaming addiction to the WHO’S list has triggered protest from the gaming industry, which is worried that intensive playing could become seen as something that requires therapy.
However, the WHO specifies that gaming disorder should only be diagnosed if an addiction lasts for at least a year, and if it significantly damages a player’s ability to function at school, at work, or among family and friends. |
dpa
The bill, which offers same-sex couples similar legal protections for marriage as heterosexuals, will take effect on May 24 after President Tsai Ing-wen signs it into law.
Gay unions are not recognised by Hong Kong and neighbouring China, which regards Taiwan as a wayward province to be brought back into the fold by force if necessary. |