TAIPEI—Taiwan’s parliament legalized same-sex marriage on Friday in a landmark first for Asia as the government survived a last-minute attempt by conservatives to pass watered-down legislation. “In Taiwan a marriage will take effect when it’s registered, so allowing marriage registration is no doubt recognizing the marriage itself,” Victoria Hsu, a gay rights lawyer, told Agence France-Presse (AFP). Tsai had previously spoken in favor of gay marriage but was later accused of dragging her feet after the court judgment, fearful of a voter backlash. Incensed by voteBut opponents were incensed by the vote, saying the inclusion of the “marriage registration” clause ignored the referendum. Vietnam decriminalized gay marriage celebrations in 2015, but it stopped short of full legal recognition for same-sex unions.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer May 17, 2019 21:45 UTC