Focus Taiwan
Date: 2019/05/17
By: Stacy Hsu 

Taipei, May 17 (CNA) Taiwan made history Friday as the first country in Asia to legalize same-sex marriage, after most lawmakers from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and a few from the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) voted to pass a Cabinet-sponsored bill that gives gay couples the right to get married.

The 27-article bill, titled Enforcement Act of Judicial Yuan Interpretation No. 748, cleared the legislative floor at 3:30 p.m. Friday against the backdrop of loud cheers from tens of thousands of gay marriage supporters gathered outside the Legislative Yuan.

DPP Legislator Yu Mei-nu (尤美女), a longtime champion of gay rights, expressed gratitude to her colleagues at the Legislature and other same-sex marriage supporters, saying that their efforts have helped “let the rainbow rise.”

The new law will take effect May 24, allowing two persons of the same gender, aged 18 or older, to register a marriage, with at least two witnesses signing the registration document.    [FULL  STORY]