- Title: Taiwan might become Asia's first country to allow same-sex marriage
- Date: 22nd May 2017
- Summary: VARIOUS OF OLD PHOTOGRAPHS OF WANG AND HE
- 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: LVA0026HX6R7P
- 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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