Taiwan has become the first Asian nation to legally recognise same-sex marriages – marking a very special International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Transphobia and Intersexism.

On 17th May, Taiwan’s parliament passed a bill that would define the union between two people of the same gender as marriage. The bill won against other proposals that would have reduced the definition to a “union” or “familial relationship”.

Taiwan’s president Tsai Ing-wen tweeted ahead of the vote that today the nation could show the world that love wins.

“Today, we have a chance to make history and show the world that progressive values can take root in an East Asian society,” Tsai wrote.

Same-sex couples in Taiwan will now be able to be marry and be afforded many of the same rights and protections as any other marriage. Same-sex couples will be able to adopt one another’s biological children, however they will not be able to adopt other children in need of a home.

Today’s decision comes two years after Taiwan’s highest court ruled that excluding same-sex couples from the legal definition of marriage was unconstitutional.

OIP Staff