Taiwan is the first Asian country to legalize same-sex marriage

The Taiwanese parliament was the first Asian country to legalize marriage between two people of the same sex, two years after a historic decision by the highest court.

With a large majority, members of parliament voted for a law that would allow homosexual couples to marry. Taiwan was already at the forefront of the rights of homosexuals in Asia, and the vote confirms that status.

In May 2017, the Constitutional Court ruled that denying same-sex marriage is unconstitutional. The government was given until 24 May 2019 to change the law, while gay marriage would become a reality if nothing happened.

Homosexual couples can now officially register their marriage from 24 May.