First Asian Country to legalise same sex marriage

First Asian Country to legalise same sex marriage
Question: Which country became the first in Asian continent to legalise same sex marriage?
(a) Russia
(b) Taiwan
(c) Thailand
(d) Indonesia
Answer: (b)
Related facts:
  • Taiwan became the first country in Asia to legalise same-sex marriage.
  • It was legalized on May 17 2019 as thousands of demonstrators outside parliament cheered and waved rainbow flags after the parliament passed the law.
  • With this, Taiwan`s parliament become the first in Asia to legalise same-sex marriage.
  • The island’s constitutional court ruled in 2017 that same-sex couples had the right to legally marry and the Parliament was given a two-year deadline and was required to pass the changes by 24 May 2019.

The bill:

  • Lawmakers in the parliament debated over three different bills to legalise same-sex unions. The most progressive of the three; the government’s bill was passed.
  • The two other bills submitted by conservative lawmaker have referred partnerships as “same-sex family relationships” or “same-sex unions” rather than “marriages“.
  • Lawmakers from the majority Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) backed the bill, which passed 66 to 27.
  • The bill offers similar legal protections for marriage to same-sex couples as heterosexuals. It will take effect after Tsai signs it into law.
  • Taipei’s colourful gay pride parade is one of Asia’s largest parades. It puts on display every year the vitality of the island’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.
  • Taiwan voters opposed same-sex marriage last year in a series of referendums, defining marriage as being between a man and a woman.

Links:

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-48305708

https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-taiwan-lgbt/in-first-for-asia-taiwan-parliament-endorses-same-sex-marriage-idUKKCN1SN0A4