Taiwan may soon okay same-sex marriage

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November 11, 2016 | Sex & Society

Taiwan may soon okay same-sex marriage

Taiwan Love is Love While (almost) half of Americans who voted on Tuesday are celebrating the election of Donald Trump to the White House, it is easy for the rest of us to conclude that the world is going to hell in a handbasket. But there is still some good news on the gay rights front.

Taiwan, for example, is apparently moving ahead with plans to recognize same-sex marriages. The country's parliamentarians are considering three possible marriage bills, one of which could be voted on and passed within months.

President Tsai Ing-wen has expressed her support for same-sex marriage. And Yu Mei-nu, a ruling Democratic Progressive Party MP who sponsored the bill, believes this will solidify Taiwan as a country that supports all human rights.

“It’s a big step forward for the history of human rights,” said Mei-nu. “If Taiwan can get this passed . . . it will give other Asian countries a model.”

Citizens seem to be supportive of the change. According to the Taiwan LGBT Family Rights Advocacy, a university study found that 80 per cent of Taiwanese people between the ages of 20 and 29 support same-sex marriage. And in a 2012 survey, Taiwan’s United Daily News found 55 per cent of the public supported gay marriage (only 37 per cent opposed it).

Come on, Taiwan! Do the right thing and prove that love trumps hate.