#LoveWins is finally gaining momentum in Asia.
Taiwan is now much closer to legalizing marriage equality thanks to the ruling made by its Constitutional Court. On Wednesday, May 24, 2017, the top court ruled that current laws discriminate against same sex couples because it states that marriage is between a man and a woman.
Taiwan is the first in Asia to have such a ruling. According to a report by Amnesty International, the judges “have given lawmakers two years to amend or enact relevant laws.”
“Lawmakers must act swiftly to ensure Taiwan becomes the first in Asia to make genuine marriage equality a reality,” said Lisa Tassi, East Asia Campaigns Director at Amnesty International.
The ruling could make Taiwan the first place in Asia to have marriage equality.
Taiwan has a large LGBTQ community and hosts the biggest pride marches in Asia, with 80,000 people in attendance during 2016’s march. Despite facing protests, support for the cause has grown more prominent in the island especially when Taiwan’s first female president, Tsai Ing-wen, expressed her support for marriage equality.
Reports from the island show supporters of marriage equality hugging and crying with joy after the announcement.
Supporters of marriage equality in Taiwan hug, cry with joy after landmark decision https://t.co/VUzKwDVRo9 pic.twitter.com/FBQRmzwElp
— Lane Sainty (@lanesainty) May 24, 2017
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