Taiwan government to study same-sex marriage in Asia | Gay Star News

Ministry of Justice commission study to attitudes to same-sex marriage in Asia

Taiwan Presidential Office Building

Taiwan's Ministry of Justice will commission studies into attitudes towards same-sex marriage in Asian cultures as part of research looking into legalizing gay marriage on the island nation.

Chung Jui-lan, deputy director-general of the Ministry of Justice's department of legal affairs said they wanted to enlist academics to study Asian attitudes to same-sex unions. The decision was made following complaints that a prior study only looked at Germany, France and Canada, Taipei Times reports.

Taiwan's Ministry of Justice are currently examining whether to change their civil code to accept same-sex marriage or to legislate for civil partnerships.

Separately a gay couple are suing the city of Taipei to get them to recognize their relationship. A ruling is expected at a court hearing tomorrow.

Also pressure group Taiwan Alliance to Promote Civil Partnership Rights (TAPCPR) is working towards collecting a million signatures in favor of legalizing same-sex marriage.

Leader of the opposition Su Tseng-chang confirmed publicly that he supports same-sex marriage at Taiwan Pride day on 27 October. 

Gay Star News

Thousands March in Taiwan Gay Rights Parade

Thousands of gay rights supporters have marched through Taiwan’s capital, calling for increased tolerance and the enactment of anti-discrimination legislation.

The Saturday event is the ninth annual gay rights parade in Taipei, which has one of Asia’s most vibrant gay communities.

The parade has attracted gays from around the world, with many marchers dressing up as prom queens, zombies or sumo wrestlers.

About a dozen men and women marched behind a Malaysian flag, deploring the absence of gay rights in the mostly Muslim country.

Ming Yueh of Kuala Lumpur said, "We hope to learn from Taiwan so we can help our friends back home."

Parade organizers called for legislation to wipe out deep-rooted gay discrimination in Asian cultures."

EDGE Providence 

Taiwan hosts its biggest same-sex 'wedding' party - Yahoo! New Zealand Entertainment

About 80 lesbian couples tied the knot in Taiwan's biggest same-sex "wedding party" in a massive gesture that organisers said Sunday offered hope that the island will soon legalise gay marriage.

Many of the couples donned white dresses and veils for the "Barbie and Barbie's wedding", which was held overnight in downtown Taipei, attracting about 1,000 visitors, including friends, relatives and curious onlookers.

"I feel very hopeful that Taiwan will legalise same-sex marriage soon," said one of the brides, 32-year-old stylist Celine Chen, who plans a honeymoon in New York, which in June became the sixth US state to legalise gay marriage.

Yahoo! New Zealand Entertainment: