Cheers for that Taiwan allow same-sex marriage

Regnbågsflaggor and cheering activists that erupted in ”we want to get married” filled the streets in Taiwan's capital of Taipei on Friday, parliament approved same-sex marriage.

”We took a big step towards true equality, and made Taiwan a better country”, tweeted the country's president, Tsai Ing-wen.

https://twitter.com/iingwen/status/1129272671873617920?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1129272671873617920&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fklara.bdn.dex.nu%2Fedit%2F03ba9fda-7bc3-4b21-a77f-cf8b20f5423b

Tsai Ing-wen, who took office as president in 2016, has ever since his presidential campaign, has advocated same-sex marriage becomes legal, which is also her party stands behind. But the law has encountered opposition from christian and conservative groups. That, in addition, same-sex marriage was rejected in a referendum last year has scared some politicians to actively give their support.

had to be taken prior to 24 may. The reason is that Taiwan's constitutional court two years ago ruled that it violates the constitution that only a man and a woman can conclude a marriage. The court gave parliament two years to amend the law. Otherwise, would same-sex marriage will automatically be allowed.

Jubilation on the streets of Taipei. Photo: Chiang Ying-ying/Ap

On the table were two other proposals. Both advocated that the weaker types of associations between homosexuals is allowed, as partnerships instead of marriage. The proposal went through also has limitations, according to critics. Among other things, is the right to adopt tightly regulated. Under the new law, one of the parties in a homosexual marriage only adopt children that are biological relatives.

in Asia which have led the fight for equal rights regardless of sexuality. Every year it hosts a pride festival in Taipei which attracts participants from throughout the Asia, where many countries have harsh laws against homosexuality.

Recently adopted, for example, Brunei, a law that allows the execution and stoning of those who commit homosexual acts. In other countries, however, the tolerance began to increase. In Vietnam was decriminalized same-sex marriage in 2015. But the law does not provide the same legal rights for homosexuals as for any other married couple. In China it was illegal to be gay until 1997, three years later ceased to consider homosexuality a mental illness.