TAIPEI, TAIWAN — (05-17-19) — The Taiwan Parliament has made history as it legalizes gay marriage. LGBT rights supporters were out in the rain in front of the parliament building in the capital celebrating the historic ruling.
Hundreds were celebrating the ruling while others embraced each other in tears of joy.
The historic event was made possible after Taiwan’s constitutional court ruled in 2017, that same-sex couples had the right to legally marry. The court gave the island two years to make necessary changes to the law.
The Taipei government’s bill did limit adoption rights in their ruling for same-sex couples but it passed by 66 to 27 votes. The majority of the votes came from lawmakers from the majority Democratic Progressive Party.
The two other bills were submitted by conservative lawmakers. One referred to partnerships as “same-sex family relationships” or “same-sex unions” rather than “marriages”. Both failed!
Taiwan Makes History as Parliament Legalizes Gay Marriage
The new gay marriage law will take effect after Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen signs it into law.
Several same-sex activists told Reuters ahead of the vote that this was the only version they would accept.
“The [government]’s bill is already our bottom line, we won’t accept any more compromise,” Jennifer Lu, the chief co-coordinator of rights group Marriage Equality Coalition Taiwan told Reuters news agency.
“What a tremendous victory for LGBT rights!” said Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “Taiwan’s action today should sound a clarion call, kicking off a larger movement across Asia to ensure equality for LGBT people.” said Robertson.
However the opposition was on full display as Tseng Hsien-ying, from the Coalition for the Happiness of Our Next Generation, told AFP news agency that the vote had “trampled on Taiwanese people’s expectations that a marriage and a family is formed by a man and a woman, a husband and a wife”.
However on Friday, President of the Republic of China Ms Tsai, said in a tweet that the island had taken “a big step towards true equality” with the vote.
On May 17th, 2019 in #Taiwan, #LoveWon. We took a big step towards true equality, and made Taiwan a better country. ?️?
— 蔡英文 Tsai Ing-wen (@iingwen) May 17, 2019
#LoveWon
????❤#LovWon
????❤#LoveWon
????❤#LoveWon
????❤#LoveWon
????❤#LoveWon
????❤— Fortune Fano (@Fortunemcedisi) May 17, 2019
Thanks to your efforts, though this has been a long and tough road, we finally passed through all the difficulties. From now on, I can tell the world loudly and with proud, that #LoveWins in Taiwan! Taiwan is a country of equality and love!
— PineApple/台湾ウオタミ ♥ (@PineAppleKao) May 17, 2019
Thank you for what you’ve done to the advancement and enrichment of Taiwan. This wouldn’t have been realized without your major support on the subject. #LoveWins
— Mio ♡ (@theauragirl) May 17, 2019
My parents are from the Mainland (where citizens can’t even elect their own president), but this is incredible news.
— Laurence (@PoliticalTrashy) May 17, 2019
Article by: Paul Goldberg, Staff Writer
- Angel Rivera & Josh Brady Lead the Cast in Tormented Teens - April 25, 2024
- Sublime Hunny Bunny Silicone Clitoral Vibe is Pure Stimulation - April 25, 2024
- AUSSIEBUM: Introducing NZLC Men’s Apparel Commercial - April 24, 2024