24 May 2019
Taiwan Becomes First in Asia to Legalise Same-Sex Marriage
Legal International
Taiwan's Legislative Yuan passed the Enforcement Act of Judicial Yuan Interpretation No. 748, making Taiwan the first country in Asia to legalise same-sex marriage. The legislation followed a 2017 Constitutional Court ruling that declared the existing marriage law unconstitutional for excluding same-sex couples. Hundreds of couples registered their marriages on the first day the law took effect.
Impact & Significance
Broke the barrier of marriage equality in Asia and demonstrated that LGBTQ+ rights could advance even in traditionally conservative cultural contexts.
Reference Record
- Date
- 24 May 2019
- Era
- 2010-2019
- Sources
- 2
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Questions This Event Helps Answer
Q When was same-sex marriage legalised in the UK? Same-sex marriage was legalised across the UK in stages, with England and Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland reaching implementation at different times. Q Which global LGBTQ+ legal wins changed rights? Major wins included decriminalisation in Mozambique, Belize, India, Botswana, Angola and Singapore, plus Thailand's marriage-equality law. Q Which global marriage and family recognition wins expanded LGBTQ+ rights? Key wins included Brazil, Colombia, Taiwan, Cuba, Mexico and Greece, each using a different legal route.
