Taiwan Becomes the First Country in Asia to Legalize Same-Sex Marriage

Huang and Wang were among 20 couples who got married as a group at the district office on Friday morning, followed by a joint garden party outside.

The new law didn’t come without struggle, however. The issue proved extremely divisive, and required involvement of the Constitutional Court and a voter referendum to eventually pass. Now, same-sex couples will enjoy the same legal rights as most opposite-sex couples, including raising children together, inheriting each other’s property, and signing each other’s medical paperwork.

Beyond these practical benefits, for many couples the new law represents their long-overdue acceptance in the broader community. Yang Hsun and her new wife Hsu Pei-chieh made a point of registering in Yang’s conservative home county to make a statement. “It’s a way of giving them an education in marriage equality,” said Hsu. “We’re happy Taiwan can have this day.”

As expected, opponents of same-sex marriage have pledged to cast protest votes in the upcoming parliamentary and presidental elections. Their disaproval, however, isn’t dampening the spirits of same-sex couples, who are relishing this historic moment.

H/T: Los Angeles Times