For the first time in Asia, the continent has witnessed a rather unfamiliar law being passed when the constitutional court in Taiwan ruled that same-sex couples are entitled to a legal right to marry. The Judicial Yuan recognized present laws as adversely violating the people’s freedom to marry and their freedom to equality. A two year period was therefore issued for legal amendments to be made so as to allow marriage between same-sex couples, failure to which the same-sex couple will be free to marry and have registration of their marriage effectuated.
Taiwan – Centre of liberalism
It was a great relief to the activists of gay, lesbian, transgender and bisexual marriage who had invested their hopes in years of campaign for these rights. The presently reigning Democratic Progressive Party which won national elections in Taiwan supported this ruling. Socially conservative attitudes are predominant in Asia, and this Taiwan ruling being the first one on the continent paves way for more. Taiwan has a set a record as centre of liberalism in the continent.
One of the grounds upon which the court based its ruling was that the sexual orientation is a characteristic so difficult to change. The court added that the freedom of marriage between two persons of any gender constitutes a collective basis in enhancing stability in the society.
Taiwan, a country recognized by China to be a renegade province holds gay pride parades on an annual basis which upholds, showcases and praises the vibrancy of a gay, lesbianism, transgender and a bisexual community.