Taiwan lawmakers set for historic vote on same-sex marriage, potentially making it the first place in Asia to legally recognise gay couples
- Vote could pave way for island becoming first place in Asia to legally recognise gay couples, but opponents are seeking to water down the government’s proposals
Taiwan’s legislature is to vote on three same-sex marriage bills that could make the island the first place in Asia to allow legal partnerships between members of the same sex.
The votes follow a ruling by the constitutional court that same-sex marriage must be legalised by Friday next week.
One of the bills was drawn up by the island’s cabinet following the court’s ruling, but two others have been tabled by opponents of the measure and aim to water down the legal protections on offer.
“Though the result will not change the ruling, I still hope that the bill drafted by the cabinet can be passed because it confers to couples like us almost all the rights granted to heterosexual couples under the civil code,” said a 50-year-old interior designer nicknamed Xiaowu.
Xiaowu, who met his partner Jamie Wu when he was 27, said he could not wait to enter official wedlock once the measure is passed.
“We have been together for 24 long years, and in July 2014, I thought I might not be able to live to see the day when gay marriage is considered legal. I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer and fell seriously ill,” he said, adding that Wu patiently took care of him day and night without a word of complaint.