
Taiwan's parliament has become the first in Asia to legalise same-sex marriage.
The constitutional court has given parliament two years to write legislation on same-sex marriage after it ruled that gay couples have the legal right to marry.
Taiwanese people are celebrating the landmark change in law, which is a positive step towards LGBT+ rights in the country.
President Tsai Ing-wen - whose party holds the majority in parliament - recognised the issue had been divisive but said in a statement that the government's bill was the only option to respect both the court ruling and the referendum.
She wrote on Twitter on Friday morning: "Today, we have a chance to make history and show the world that progressive values can take root in an East Asian society."
People all over the world are celebrating.
@iingwen 🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳😍😍😍😍😍😍😍 HAPPY TO READ THIS !!!! Kisses from Spain 🇪🇸!!! https://t.co/GOaJLWZsUY— Marqués De Tuel 🏰 (@Marqués De Tuel 🏰) 1558081288
Taiwan have become the first country in Asia to legalise same-sex marriage. This is incredible news and a huge step… https://t.co/rP9Ry15ZAZ— Tom Knight (@Tom Knight) 1558072083
Deafening cheers followed the announcement.
The moment marriage equality passed in Taiwan today 🌈♥️🌈 @lborogeog https://t.co/UOAcyBddud— Sarah Holloway (@Sarah Holloway) 1558079007
'Love wins.'
@BBCBreaking Love wins... yet again! ❤ Congratulations Taiwan!!! https://t.co/0U5VwhZKpy— Capt.Elton Fernandes (@Capt.Elton Fernandes) 1558077966
And, like magic, shortly after Taiwan became Asia's first country to recognize same-sex marriage, the heavy rains h… https://t.co/2850wBYcHF— Chris Horton 何貴森 (@Chris Horton 何貴森) 1558077826
The president of Taiwan tweeted her happiness.
On May 17th, 2019 in #Taiwan, #LoveWon. We took a big step towards true equality, and made Taiwan a better country. 🏳️🌈— 蔡英文 Tsai Ing-wen (@蔡英文 Tsai Ing-wen) 1558074560
#Taiwan passes same-sex marriage bill on International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia #IDAHOT, b… https://t.co/Ki0gLwnM4i— Ministry of Culture 🇹🇼 (@Ministry of Culture 🇹🇼) 1558074574
Pictures out of Taiwan show people weeping following the good news.
Even the rain didn't stop them.
Taipei's pouring rain can’t stop people from showing their supports of same-sex marriage. #taiwan https://t.co/yIYggXsKc3— Silva Shih 史書華 (@Silva Shih 史書華) 1558068700
And they're thanking the Taiwanese administration for its support of same-sex marriage.
Instead of arguing with homophobes who didn't like the news on Twitter, people are sending them gifs of same-sex couples kissing.
@marufu327 @BBCBreaking https://t.co/L3ncARCumv— Tom PositiveLad (@Tom PositiveLad) 1558072832
@PositiveLad @marufu327 @BBCBreaking 💗💋💗💋 🌈 https://t.co/W0goqSXGdR— MultiverseOfMarvelites⭐ (@MultiverseOfMarvelites⭐) 1558073921
It's a great day for LGBT+ rights in Taiwan.
BREAKING: Legislators just passed article 4, which means #Taiwan just legalized same-sex marriage and will be imple… https://t.co/EBvETuSD5u— Taiwan Equality Campaign 彩虹平權大平台 (@Taiwan Equality Campaign 彩虹平權大平台) 1558069949
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