Taiwan makes moves towards marriage equality

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen

Taiwan may the the first Asian country to enact marriage equality, as a group of MPs hope to forge ahead with a bill.

Politicians from the governing Democratic Progressive Party, under President Tsai Ing-wen, plan to file a bill that would change the nation’s definition of marriage to specify “two people” rather than “man and woman.”

DPP legislator Yu Mei-nu told The Taipei Times the current framework for same-sex couples was not sufficient.

“While many local governments accept household registrations from same-sex couples, it is just an executive measure that does not give them full rights,” he said.

“This time we want an overall rule added: gays and heterosexuals will have the right to equally enjoy the benefits of marriage, including parental authority over children and freedom from discrimination in adoption cases.”

Opponents of the bill, the Alliance of Religious Groups for the Love of Families Taiwan, have spoken out against the proposal.

Leader Chan Shou-yi believes “what gay activists want is for their lifestyle to be affirmed by society.”

“But why do they need to change the traditional institution of marriage, which goes back thousands of years?”

Taiwan is one of the most progressive Asian nations in terms of LGBTIQ+ rights, with the country’s current President campaigning for marriage equality in her successful campaign.

OIP Staff

Sources

• PinkNews