- Title: Taiwan might become Asia's first country to allow same-sex marriage
- Date: 22nd May 2017
- Summary: WANG PREPARING MEDICINE DOG WALKING PAST WANG AND HE'S FEET WANG DRINKING MEDICINE HE (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) 56-YEAR-OLD SAME-SEX MARRIAGE SUPPORTER, WANG TIEN-MING, SAYING: "I am not confident at the moment (about legalisation of same-sex marriage), based on the attitudes that those political leaders are showing. They are not being clear. I hope they bang on the table and stand up, saying 'I should strive for the minority'. Even if there was only one or two, even if there were only two homosexuals or only one homosexual in Taiwan, they still should have the right to get married. I think that's what the government should do." WANG TALKING (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) 74-YEAR-OLD SAME-SEX MARRIAGE SUPPORTER, HE HSIANG, SAYING: "(Young homosexuals) are not supposed to be like the old gays that only care about their own lives. They should have a broader minds. That's how it is. Also, gays are supposed to be united. I think gays in Taiwan are not united right now." WANG AND HE'S BEDROOM WANG AND HE'S CLOTHES DRYING HE CARRYING CLOTHES INTO THE LIVING ROOM VARIOUS OF WANG AND HE FOLDING CLOTHES
- Embargoed: 5th June 2017 03:19
- Keywords: LGBT protest Taiwan's civil code constitutional courts same sex-marriage
- Location: TAIPEI, TAIWAN
- City: TAIPEI, TAIWAN
- Country: Taiwan
- Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment
- Reuters ID: LVA0036HX6R7P
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Taiwan is on the verge of becoming the first country in Asia to legalise same-sex marriage.
A panel of grand justices will meet at the Constitutional court on May 24th, to debate a disputed law in Taiwan's civil code, that states that marriage should be confined to a man and woman.
LGBT community members are hoping for a breakthrough this time around. Taiwan is regarded as one the most LGBT-friendly places in Asia, annually hosting the biggest gay pride event in the region with tens of thousands of participants from throughout Asia.
Wang Tien-ming and He Hsiang, have been together for over 32 years and hope that same-sex marriage will be legalised as soon as possible so that they can enjoy the same benefits as heterosexual couple such as tax benefits and health insurance.
Gay rights activist Chi Chia-wei, has been fighting for equality for nearly 30 years, and is optimistic, that this time the court will rule in his favour.
However, local polls show that Taiwanese people are still closely divided on the issue. Opponents of same-sex marriage have been protesting outside Taiwan's constitutional courts, demanding that a consensus from all Taiwanese citizens should be reached first. - Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
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